Impressed by his daughter’s martial arts efforts, MAN v FAT Gloucester coach Ryan Barkle bought into motion himself by showing in a nationwide Taekwondo Championships firstly of November.
Having seen his daughter take up the game in September 2021, Ryan determined that it was time to shed weight.
And his efforts on the scales and on the pitch noticed him shift over 5 stone as a MAN v FAT Gloucester participant, earlier than graduating to steer the membership, held at Plock Courtroom on a Thursday evening.
Ryan instructed us: “By the help, pleasant rivalry and atmosphere created on the membership, I misplaced 5 stone earlier than turning into the membership’s Coach.
“It has offered me with plenty of alternatives from enjoying at Sixfields for George Elokobi in opposition to Ian Holloway’s crew to getting again to working.
“Nonetheless 2024 has been a bit tougher to maintain the load off resulting from ‘weak hips’ which means soccer and working had grow to be painful.
“This led me to attempt one thing new. I joined my daughter Abi at Sumners Taekwondo, as I might see the quantity of flexibility and hips work that goes into it.
“Earlier than MAN v FAT, I’d not have had the arrogance to attend and I’d not have returned after the primary session resulting from feeling too unfit, too judged or too embarrassed (there isn’t any motive to really feel this, I’ve discovered!).
“Nonetheless my MAN v FAT journey has led me to attempt one thing fully totally different. Who would have thought you’ll begin sparring on the age of 42?”
