Meet Boo Sabum JEMMA SWINBURNE

I started ITF Taekwon-Do at 5 years old at my local Taekwon-Do club in South Queensferry under Master Julia Cross.

I initially started Taekwon-Do because my dad wanted me to learn a martial art and be able to defend myself if I ever needed to. Neither my family nor I could have imagined the experiences I would have, or where Taekwon-Do would take me, when I first started all those years ago.

I have experienced so many incredible moments throughout my career, but two events in particular stand out the most to me:

Finland 2023: MY First World Title

Firstly would be my first World title in Finland 2023, where I became ITF World Champion in 1st Degree Patterns. Having my dad in my corner as my coach made the win even more special.

At this championship, my partner, Sabum Jack Lobban, and I also won a silver medal in Pre-arranged Sparring. This was our first time competing in the event, and we only decided to give it a go, creating the routine in just 4 to 5 weeks under the guidance of Master Hutton, along with tips from Master Mark Totter.

I also achieved a bronze medal in the -50kg sparring category, making the World Championships 2023 in Finland an incredibly memorable championship for me.

Croatia 2025: A Childhood Dream

My second highlight would have to be the following ITF World Championships in Croatia 2025, where I won 2nd Degree Patterns and another bronze medal in -50kg sparring.

To top it all off, I was named the Senior Female Overall Champion for that ITF World Championships.

This was a dream and goal I had ever since I was a little girl.

Competitive Highlights:

2x ITF World Champion
Overall Senior Female ITF World Champion 2025
7x ITF European Champion
(4x Pattern, 2x Pre-arranged sparring, 1x Team Sparring)
Multiple British, Scottish and Dutch Open Champion

I don’t currently have an active teaching role but occasionally help with classes at my club or take 1-1 sessions. I help coach at club level competitions and aspire to hopefully one day once I stop competing, coach with the Scottish National Team.

At the end of 2023, I was invited to help conduct a seminar in the Netherlands, organized by Master Tapilatu and Sabum Kool. This was my first time teaching a large group of people in this type of setting, but it truly was such an invaluable experience and something I hope to do again!

I am also a member of the AETF Athlete’s Committee where we work on many projects to enhance the experience of it’s athletes and ensure their voices are heard. With these aims in mind, our goal is to develop Taekwon-Do across Europe, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment and experience for athletes.

This past summer I presented in the summer camp we, the Athlete’s Committee, hosted in La Nucia, Spain. It was exciting to teach a range of disciplines in the camp and I hope to have the opportunity to do more events like this in the future.

What’s next?:

To continue doing what I love; competing all over the world. My goal is to become one of the most successful female athletes our martial art has ever seen, alongside many other remarkable women who have paved the way, like Master Cross did.

I strive to be approachable and to inspire others to believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. I want to show the younger generation what is possible through dedication, hard work, and self-belief. Having the confidence to let go of fear, be bold, and embrace challenges can open countless doors and opportunities, whatever path you choose to pursue in life.

I also hope that one day I will have a more integral role in running my own Taekwon-Do academy with my partner, Jack. To spend every day doing what we love, together, would be a dream come true.

My experience working with Mightyfist:

I have never officially worked with Mightyfist but I love their values and what they stand for. The LUMIX dobok they recently brought out is one I always use for competing and training and I would highly recommend it.