By Tom Degun in London

Alfa_Romeos_UK_Athlete_Chris_Tomlinson_Andy_Turner_and_Tom_Parsons_receives_a_Tae-Kwon-Do_lesson_before_their_departure_to_the_World_Championships_in_Daegu_South_KoreaAugust 18 - Alfa Romeo, the official car supplier to UK Athletics, gave three of Britain's top athletes an introduction to taekwondo, the national sport of South Korea, before they head off to that country for the World Championships in Daegu next week.


Long jump star Chris Tomlinson, high jumper Tom Parsons and 110 metres hurdler Andy Turner were the trio of Alfa Romeo ambassadors in attendance at Pineapple Studios in central London as they took part in a masterclass led by Team GB's taekwondo world champion Sarah Stevenson and national champion Andy Deer.

UK long jump record holder Tomlinson told insidethegames: "It was a fantastic experience and I really got into the taekwondo masterclass.

"UK Athletics and GB taekwondo will both become part of Team GB next year, so it's great to spend time with some of our country's leading athletes from other sports before 2012.

"I'm in good form at the moment and I'm looking forward to the World Championships."

The competition in Daegu will take place from August 27 to September 4 and is the biggest event in the sport ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

Turner, the European and Commonwealth 110m hurdles champion, is set to be a medal contender for Britain at the event but admitted he had enjoyed taking time off his usual training to do the masterclass.

"I used to go to taekwondo classes when I was about six years old and it was great to have another go with the professionals," he said.

"It was a shame I couldn't get involved fully but the World Championships are my priority.

"I'm looking forward to the competition and hope to take care of business in South Korea."

Stevenson, who became taekwondo world champion in South Korea earlier this year, said: "I really enjoyed the day; it was fun to pass on my experience to elite athletes from another sport.

"I was also able to give them some advice about the food in Korea; it's great and very healthy but not to everyone's taste, so they need to make sure that they take some treats with them from home.

"I wish them good luck in Daegu and will be looking out to see how they get on."

The event was put on due to Alfa Romeo's sponsorship of UK Athletics which began in 2006 and includes the car manufacturer supplying a fleet of vehicles to UKA coaches, staff and athletes.

"Alfa Romeo has a long successful sporting heritage and we're proud to be the official car supplier to UK Athletics," said Damien Dally, the Head of Brand at Alfa Romeo UK.

"We'd like to wish all the athletes the best of luck at the World Championships and hopefully the taekwondo masterclass has given them a little taster of South Korea before they head off there later this month."

Click here to view a video and a gallery of images of the Alfa Romeo taekwondo masterclass.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] 


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