North Hykeham grandmother earns taekwondo belt at 83

BBC News

01-04-2025

A grandmother has earned her first graded belt in taekwondo at the age of 83. Ann Bigger, who only took up the combat sport in January, earned her yellow striped belt on Monday after practising night and day.Mrs Bigger, from North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, is taught by her son Mark Bigger, who said the martial art is good for physical and mental health at any age.She said she was not able to sleep "because there's a lot to learn. It's hands this way and feet that way."
Mr Bigger, who has been teaching at the North Hykeham Tae Kwon Do Club for 15 years, decided to introduce an afternoon class for older people.The grandmother-of-two signed up and said she had not realised what she had let herself in for but began to enjoy it."It's good for the old brain," she said, referring to the co-ordination of her hands and feet. "I love the companionship. Afterwards we go downstairs and sit for an hour and have a coffee and a chat."Mr Bigger said his mum had been getting no special treatment and "needs to up her game a bit".
He said his mum had been the "perfect student" and had even been practicing in the supermarket.Mr Bigger said: "What I initially thought was going to be a bit of a laugh turned into three months of training at least twice a week."She has actually taken it really seriously and has exceeded my expectations throughout, while also having such a good laugh."She's met new people, she's got stronger fitness, she's even been to the doctors and been told her blood pressure is down, so what a great achievement, I'm really proud of her."Mrs Bigger who started as a white belt said she was "a bit nervous" about attempting her first grading. She added she did not think she would be taken up the sport aged 83 but described herself as "lucky to be able to do it".
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