Kickboxers take British crowns

Fighters from Newark Martial Arts Kickboxing Club showcased their talents with great victories at the ISKA British Championships.

The Newark club entered five kickboxers in the open tournament, held in Birmingham, and three walked away with golds in their categories as they became British champions.

Newark’s Jade Grierson, normally known now for her full contact kickboxing style, sailed through to the final.

In the final, Grierson beat Sophie Bennett from Combat Kickboxing, the current southern area champion, and was declared the over 65kg British champion for the up to 17 age category.

Next up was Sophie Webb who also sailed through to the final and then fought brilliantly to beat Megan Kelly from Neil Kelly’s USKA gym in Birmingham.

Webb, having beaten her opponent previously, showed the greater composure and aggression to claim the gold medal in the -51kg division.

In another final, Newark club-mate Chelsea Wood gave away victory to her opponent from Derby with only seven seconds remaining when injury left her unable to continue.

This meant she had to settle for the silver medal.

Jordan Frost fought exceptionally well to get through and win the final of the boys’ -45kg category.

He took on another of Pete Dunnett’s fighters from Combat Kickboxing in the final and claimed gold.

Last up for Newark Martial Arts was Regis Sugden, the current British EFK and ISKA and BLCC champion.

But Sugden was used to fighting in five rounds and struggled to get into the two round bouts he was faced with.

He still sailed through to the semi-finals but lost controversially to Zac Rackman from the USKA gym.

It was a close fight and should have been the final because Rackman beat his next opponent comfortably to win gold.

But Sugden went on to win bronze in the 45kg+ category.

The team had left undisputed British champion Chad Sugden behind as he was still resting from his triumph in getting to the Royal Navy Golden Gloves Boxing final.

Sugden (13) the current Midlands champion, had claimed several victories against unbeaten boxers on his way to the final.

He really wanted this boxing crown and had trained hard for the bout.

But there were some controversial scoring decisions in the fight at Knottingley Leisure Centre, Yorkshire, and he missed out on victory.

Next up for Newark kickboxers is a trip to the International Martial Arts Games in Thailand next month.

The Newark Martial Arts fighters selected to represent their country are Jade Grierson, Lewis Fallon, Chad Sugden, Regis Sugden and Danny Swanwick.

All fighters will be on parade at the Newark Martial Arts Open Day a week tomorrow.

This will give people the chance to see what is happening and how the Newark club can be developing so many champions.

For more information telephone 01636 605708.