A seven-year-old girl from Totton has won a Bulgarian taekwondo tournament after travelling abroad for the very first time.

Chloe Bliss travelled to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia with her parents to take part in the Hereya Open across two days from Sunday, April 21, and Monday, April 22.

Chloe competed against other children in her age group – taking part in four contests – where she won all four to win a gold medal.

Chloe’s mum Natasha told the Echo: “We’re so incredibly proud of her.

“She was a complete novice when she took up the sport in February 2022 and she just loves it so much.

Daily Echo:

“In a little over two years she’s already won 20 medals – 14 of which are gold – Chloe trains five times a week and is so dedicated, we just couldn’t be prouder.”

Chloe took up taekwondo at the age of five and has been a member of Passion Taekwondo in Totton ever since.

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She has already a two-time British Taekwondo National Champion, in the Korean martial art characterised by punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast kicking techniques.

For two years Chloe has travelled across the country – as far away as London, Sheffield, and Liverpool – competing against other children.

Daily Echo: Totton child, 7, wins Bulgarian taekwondo tournament during first trip abroad

“At the rate she’s going, Chloe is on track to join the GB development squad,” said Natasha.

“She’s very young so we’ll have to see what happens and she’s got plenty of years ahead of her before she needs to decide whether or not she wants to pursue it as a career but it’s just a joy to watch her.”

Natasha, along with Chloe’s dad Christopher, help Chloe with her training and weekly parkrun, even holding the kick-pads for her as she practises her martial arts skills.