Rick Simpson of Quest Taekwondo has been promoted to international-class instructor by Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters.

The 30-year-old Silsden-based fourth dan picked up the prestigious award almost eight years after attending an international instructor course in South Korea.

Simpson was a second dan black belt at the time and not eligible for the prestigious higher level. He passed the course but was not formally awarded the promotion until he had completed his fourth dan test.

He said: “It’s been a long time coming. I might have only just been given the award but I’ve been following this method for nearly eight years.”