Martial arts ace Sara Healy has been picked for a prestigious international event in China.

And the 20-year-old member of Dragon Martial Arts School is being tipped for success at the forthcoming pre-Olympic Friendship Games in Beijing.

Healy, from Clacton, will be competing for Great Britain and her club chief instructor, Keith Dwan, told the Gazette: "She'll do well because of her natural ability.

"That will put her on an even keel with anyone she competes against."

He added: "And, even though she's only 20, she's got bags of experience. She's been with our club her entire life and I've been coaching her for 16 years."

Healy is one of 12 in the Great Britain team, with the others all coming from London.

The British team flew out on Monday with their weigh-in taking place on Friday. The actual competition spans Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Published Thursday, December 16, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette