A TEENAGE martial arts champion with Olympic ambitions has joined the Army.
Tae kwon do fighter Yasmin Smith, 16, from Spennymoor, has completed the first term of her military training but she is already aiming for international success.
A former UK junior winner, she is ranked number two at her age and weight and has already competed across Europe.
After sitting GCSEs at Spennymoor School, she enlisted as a radio operator in the Royal Corps of Signals, spending seven weeks at Army college in Arborfield, near Reading.
She said: "My sport is really important to me, and while I hope to be able to compete for the Army and combined forces teams, my ultimate goal is to one day represent Britain in the Olympics. I know that by pursuing a career in the Army I will be given the support I need."
For Army careers advice call (01388) 604110. There are also offices in Durham and Darlington.
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