A teenager from Ruislip has been crowned World Sparring Champion at the ITF World Championships held in Barcelona.
Chloe Whelan, 18, competed in the adult female middleweight category and won gold after defeating the Argentinian team captain, who was also a six-time world champion.
Chloe, who trains in ITF Taekwondo – a martial art known for its dynamic kicks and structured system of patterns – has been competing since the age of six. She now holds a 2nd Dan black belt and has worked her way through local, national, and international competitions to reach the highest level of the sport.
Harrow Online spoke with Chloe’s parents, Ben and Tasha, who shared their reaction to her incredible achievement.
“It was amazing watch her get the win, I was so nervous before the final as I know how much it meant to her and how much hard work she had put in, but if I’m honest she made it look easy! She beat the current Argentinian female team captain who was the current and 6 x world champion,” Ben said.
“I was so unbelievably proud of what she had achieved and cried for the first time in years, it felt great!”
Chloe first became interested in martial arts at a young age, influenced in part by her father, Ben, who has his own background in competitive martial arts.
“We moved her in to taekwondo as she always had great kicks and being a very kicking based art we knew she would excel. Ben Whelan her dad has always been into martial arts from a young age and competed to a good level, winning an open kickboxing world championship in 2010 and Chloe used to be in the crowd cheering him on, now he is sitting in the crowd cheering her on.”
Describing Chloe’s journey to the world stage, her parents added: “Chloe started martial arts at the age of 6 at a local kickboxing academy, achieving her first black belt at the age of 10 we moved her on to taekwondo at the age of 12.
“She worked her way up and is currently a 2nd Dan black belt in taekwondo.
“She has been competing for 6 years winning, local regionals, nationals, travelled to Holland and won their nationals.
“2024 and 25 UK champion were the winner gets selected to represent Team UK.
“In 24 she won their European championship in Wales and this year qualified to represent Team UK in the World Championships, but as she is now 18 she had to step up from junior into the adult section.
“We travelled to Barcelona together for her first Worlds. She is currently the adult female middle weight World Champion for sparring.”
Chloe’s success has also been supported by her family and the wider community in Harrow.
“Between me and my partner Chloe’s mum Tasha we’ve shared the journeys in taking her to her classes. Everyone around her is very proud and encouraging whenever she has won anything.
“People who don’t know her wouldn’t believe someone that looks so innocent and sweet enjoys beating people up for sport!!”
After months of intense training – up to six times a week – Chloe is now taking some well-earned time off.
“We’re going away on a family holiday as a bit of chill time is needed, Chloe was training 6 times a week in preparation for the Worlds. Whilst we’re out there we will discuss, set new goals and put a plan in motion so watch this space!!”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
