Redcar-born Jazz is already a regular on the national scene and becoming well-known at European Level.
Before the championships start on Monday 5 September, the 16-year-old came to the Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart to meet with Cllr Barry Hunt and talk about her training and fundraising efforts.
With a shared interest in Taekwondo and other martial arts, the Mayor discussed Jazz’s training regime at NEST TKD (North East Schools of Traditional TaekwonDo) and her hopes for the world championships.
Jazz, who has just completed her GCSEs, said: “Thank you to everyone for all the support I have had so far. I would especially like to thank my dad for funding every aspect of my Taekwondo career, without which I wouldn’t be where I am today. I will do my best in Italy next week and hopefully make everyone proud.”
As well as looking for world championship success Jazz is also hoping her form of Taekwondo will be introduced into the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Cllr Hunt is delighted that Jazz is representing the borough and said: “I couldn’t be prouder of Jazz’s achievements, with numerous medals and trophies to her name. The fact that she been carrying on her training, and earning her black belt, all while studying for her GCSEs shows just how determined she is and I have no doubt she’ll be an international star of the future.
“I would also encourage businesses across the borough to get behind Jazz and NEST TKD and give them some sponsorship to make sure Jazz has the funding to keep attending future European and world championships.”