A PAIR of talented teens put their fighting spirit to the test as they battled it out at the British Taekwondo National Championships.

Laila Arbane and Abigail Gardner, who train with Dorset Taekwondo Association, said they were delighted after bringing home two silver medals from the competition.

The girls spent months preparing for the event last month in Manchester.

Laila, who is a pupil at Bournemouth School for Girls, said: “I fought a girl who was 10kg heavier than me and she was really strong. Although I didn’t win, I’m glad I did it and I feel like I have improved a lot – all the training was worth it.”

Abigail, who is a pupil at Twynham School, said she was very pleased with her performance.

“I was so nervous but when I got in the ring it was OK. I managed to score a headshot so I was really happy about that.”

The girls, who are both 15-years-old and in the final year of studying for their GCSEs, trained for around 10 hours a week in the lead-up to the big day. .

Their coach Marcin Tata said he was very proud. “They did really well,” he said. “Abi fought a girl with a lot more experience and Laila’s opponent was much heavier and much stronger than her.”