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TKD'S SARAH STEVENSON IS AWARDED MBE IN NEW YEAR'S HONOURS

(Caption): Sarah Stevenson in action at the Beijing Olympics

By Luke Robbins

TAEKWONDO champ Sarah Stevenson has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours.

The world champion - who lost both her mum and dad to cancer last year - has just rejoined the Great Britain squad in Mexico City to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics.

She took her second world title in South Korea in May after taking four months away from the sport to tend her terminally-ill parents.

Her father Roy died two months after she snatch gold in South Korea from a brain tumour. Her mother Diana died in November from cancer.

She also took a bronze medal for Britain at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Sarah, 28, of Doncaster, said: "I know my parents would have been so proud of this award.

"It's fantastic to be recognised for the hard work I have put into Taekwondo for the past 21 years. 

"It's also a boost for the sport in this country and I am proud to be an ambassador for Taekwondo. I hope this will continue to help raise the profile of this great sport."