They are the husband and wife who will be representing England at the World Cup.

Southampton duo Adam and Jenny Swain will be competing for their country at the ITF Taekwondo World Cup in Jamaica.

The Harefield-based pair are part of a squad of ten that will travel to the Caribbean in August where more than 1,200 competitors from 40 countries will be in attendance.

At just 24-years-old, they have 30 years experience between them in the sport and have collected an array of medals from competitions world¬ wide, including their most recent successes at the Holland Cup and PUMA English Championships.

In those competitions they have won seven medals.

In Swindon, Adam struck gold in the men’s third degree black belt and above patterns and the men’s -70kg black belt sparring.

Jenny picked up a bronze in the ladies’ third degree black belt and above patterns category and the ladies’ -57kg black belt sparring class.

 

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In the Netherlands, Adam won the men’s third degree black belt patterns and Jenny collected the ladies’ third degree black belt and above patterns category, as well as taking bronze in the ladies’ -50kg sparring.

The sparring side is just like the version seen at the Olympic Games where competitors go head-to-head. The patterns event is a routine that displays the technical skills of taekwondo, which is performed in front of judges.

(VIDEO: Adam in patterns action in the final of the Holland Cup)

Jenny and Adam, who wouldn’t have ever met if it wasn’t for taekwondo, are training hard for the World Cup that starts on August 26.

“We met at a competition in Swindon about eight years ago,” said Adam.

“Jenny and I are reasonably confident we can bring back some medals from the World Cup.”

Both of them will compete in the sparring and patterns discipline at the competition in Montego Bay.   

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They train at Itchen College Sports Hall during the week and with the England team in Bristol at the weekends.

If you want to give taekwondo a go, there are sessions at Itchen College that are open to anyone of any age and ability.

“It teaches good balance, it is fun and it gets you fit,” says Adam.

“You get to learn about the history of the sport and about self-defence.

“It’s a great sport to be involved in.”

Before they leave for the World Cup, they will both be competing at the ITF English Championships in Stratford-upon-Avon next month.

VIDEO: Jenny in action in the final of the Holland Cup.