KEIGHLEY'S Leah Moorby has finished off an amazing year by becoming the junior female -59kg Commonwealth champion in Edinburgh last weekend.

In a year where most youngsters find the transition from cadet (12-14 years) to junior category (14-17 years) a major step due to the age difference, the **-year-old has taken it in her stride.

The Holy Family School pupil has claimed a world bronze, national gold and now the Commonwealth title – and she still has two more full years in the junior category.

Around 500 competitors from across the Commonwealth took part in Edinburgh, including teams from Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, several African and European countries, as well as the home nations.

Due to the late withdrawal of India, Leah was given a quarter-final bye due to her ranking and faced Ellie May of Wales, who had beaten Australia's Lazenkas to reach the semi final.

With former world champion and Olympian Sarah Stevenson MBE – who is now the head of GB youth development – in her corner, Leah was in the mood to make an impression as she dominated the first round to lead 8-0, including two head shots.

The second round was even more emphatic as the British number one unleashed a barrage of shots that took the score to 10-0. A further head shot secured the victory moments later as the Welsh coach threw in the towel.

The final saw Leah up against Sandrine Tranquille, of Canada, who had beaten her England team-mate Megan Featherstone to reach the final.

Once again the British champion took the fight to her opponent with a head shot opening the scoring, followed up by body shots to finish the round 5-0 up.

Leah remained in command, going into the final round with a 10-2 lead. It lasted all of 15 seconds as she landed two further head shots to take the score to 16-2 and clinch the match on the 12-point gap ruling to become Keighley's first World Taekwondo Federation Commonwealth champion.

Her dad Gary said: "Leah was outstanding. She only conceded two points all day and one of those was a penalty point, while she scored 29 in her favour.

"That is likely to be her last competition this year. She will now be focusing on selection for the Junior European Championships in the new year.

"Once again we would like to thank all those who have supported Leah this year, including sponsors, coaches and the many others who have offered support in various ways."