“I get more nervous for Craig’s fights than I do for my own,” joked Ross Eden, the younger of two taekwondo siblings just back from medal-winning performances at the Commonwealth Championships.

“No, I’m definitely more of a worrier than him,” claimed Craig, pictured below. “It’s silly as I know I can’t do anything for him when he is in the middle of a fight. We are definitely different people when it comes to competitions – Ross is the most relaxed guy I know whereas it takes me a while to settle in.”

The duo, both studying sport at the University of Stirling, were selected for support from national student sports scholarships Winning Students last October and have put the money to good use funding travel costs to compete around the world.

They were part of an excellent Scottish team performance at the event in Chennai, India, which was held in January to showcase taekwondo for possible inclusion at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Anyone watching the four-day competition can’t fail to have been impressed with 13 nations represented and the Scottish team flying home with 10 medals.

Craig, 21, collected a bronze medal in the -68 kilos featherweight category while 19-year-old Ross went one better, earning a silver medal at -74k kilos lightweight.

Both brothers had prepared well at the national centre in Stirling, adapting to a new form of electronic scoring, with sensors in the body armour and socks to pick up any contact.

Ross, pictured right, added: “I won my first two fights fairly comfortably, but in the final I was up against a New Zealander who has competed at the World Championships. We were both landing scoring hits, but the score said 0-0. With seconds to go, he went 1-0 up and I didn’t have time to come back.

“I can’t be disappointed as it is only my second year as a senior and so any medal is progress towards selection for the World Championships.”

After a first round bye, Craig cleverly navigated his way past an Indian opponent who was disqualified for repeatedly using his knee to block the Scot’s advances. Craig eventually lost out to an English opponent, despite a spirited showing.

“I thought I’d hammered him to be honest,” said Craig, “but it was scored 1-1 going into the last round. It was a little disappointing, but the scoring system is the same for everyone so you just have to get on with it.”

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) World Championships take place in Gyeongju, Korea at the start of May and the Eden brothers are hopeful of selection for the British team.

This will be dependent on strong performances at the German Open in March and before this, the Dutch Open from 19 February.

Ross said: “The Dutch Open is even bigger than the Commonwealth Championships and, for me personally, I feel I have a great chance of doing well and hopefully being selected. Last year, at the World University Championships was the first time Craig and I have been at a major tournament together and we’d love it to happen again.”

“Fingers crossed we can both make the team,” added Craig, “but if only one of us does then that’s fine – the other will be there to cheer them on.”

Scottish national coach John Cullen hailed the whole team’s performance in India. He said: “The Commonwealth Championships are a world ranking event and as such Scotland's showing has given us great momentum. I'm really proud of the team, their efforts and the way they conducted themselves in a new environment against top class opposition.”

Images courtesy of TKD Scotland