Lynn Whiting and her ten-year-old daughter Maria, who both attend traditional martial arts school Kuk Sool Won in Sudbury, are both black belts

LYNN Whiting and her 10-year-old daugher Maria are two ladies that demand respect.

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For the super fit duo from Bury St Edmunds are both martial arts black belts and their dedication has led to Maria winning gold medals at the UK championships.

Both attend the Kuk Sool Won school in Sudbury – a traditional Korean martial art that combines fighting skills and body conditioning techniques with mental development and traditional weapons training.

Maria has been training at the school under the watchful eye of her mother since she was four and has just obtained her first degree black belt. Lynn herself has recently celebrated being promoted to a third-degree black belt.

“Even when I was pregnant with Maria I was doing light Kuk Sool exercises and as soon as she could walk I was teaching her some of the positions,” said Lynn, who works for a lighting firm in Bury.

“It’s a great sport for children. It keeps them active and engaged, and teaches them discipline.”

For Maria, who also practices gymnastics, her accomplishments have gained her the respect of fellow pupils at Hardwicke Middle School.

“They all call me ‘ninja’,” she said with a smile.

Head instructor Karen Smith said: “Lynn and Maria are very dedicated and train twice a week, every week.”