Brockenhurst taekwondo teen Kimberley Barnes has a fighting chance of making Paris 2024 Olympics

RISING star of British taekwondo Kimberley Barnes has her sights set on the 2024 Olympics in Paris after being selected for the GB squad.

The 17-year-old Brockenhurst College sport student from Hythe, a former national cadet-level champion, recently graduated from the Fighting Chance talent identification initiative.

Previous graduates include European champion Lauren Williams and double Olympic medallist Lutalo Muhammad.

Barnes was one of only nine athletes selected to make the step up during the summer.

Despite spending most of her time in Manchester now, training at the National Taekwondo Centre, she will complete her college programme thanks to Brock’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

The former Noadswood School pupil said: “My ultimate aim is to represent GB at the 2024 Olympic Games in the -57kg female weight category.

“I am hoping to gain experience and improve my taekwondo skills by training with the senior GB Squad, including double Olympic champion Jade Jones.”

Barnes’ lecturer Alan Steel said: “We will continue to support Kimberley under the TASS scheme in every way we can. We are delighted to hear of her recent progress, and we wish her every success going forward.”