BAILDON'S Jacob Barnett has won the British Student Championship, thus securing a place in the European University Games.

Already a British champion, the Leeds Beckett University demonstrated skill and ability of international standard to clinch his berth in Croatia in July.

The 30th British Student Taekwondo Championships (BSTF), held at the University of Worcester's Sport Arena, attracted 430 competitors from 46 universities in various weight categories.

Former Titus Salt School pupil Jacob was competing in the Olympic weight of -68kg, and his coach, Quest Taekwondo's Mike McKenzie, who was also the sport's manager at the 2012 London Olympics, said: "Jacob outclassed his student opponents.

"University or student sport is second only to national team level at many sports, and the people Jacob competed against were good club players but not international class, and as such Jacob had four comfortable matches and wasn't really tested.

"He scored a total of 56 points to his four opponents' five! The real test will be in Croatia."

Jacob has a busy season ahead, competing in the Dutch and Austrian opens in the next few months, as well as the President's Cup in Germany.

As well as being a top performer, Jacob also coaches taekwondo twice weekly at his former school in Baildon to play his part in inspiring the next generation.

In the second year of his sports science degree at Leeds Beckett, Jacob travels to Sheffield to train with McKenzie or to Manchester to train with the Great Britain team.

In addition, Jacob has the support of Dane Mitchell, head of strength and conditioning at Leeds Beckett, as well as having regular sessions with nutrition consultant Chris Lowe.

Unfortunately, his Leeds Beckett team-mate, Settle's Harriet Akeroyd, who is also British champion in the -49kg female category, couldn't compete at Worcester as she is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained when she and Jacob represented Great Britain at the Under-21 European Championships.

Jacob is part of the SportsAid b active Sporting Excellence Programme, which is a unique partnership between Bradford Council and the charity SportsAid.

It aims to provide financial support for emerging young athletes so they can reach their full potential, encourage others to join sporting activities and put Bradford on the map for sporting excellence.