Success for Elgin's Kaizen at World Kickboxing Association World Championships in Wales, as club prepares for February qualifiers
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AN ELGIN club has received a series of gold medals at the World Kickboxing Association World Championships.
Seven members of Kaizen School of Kickboxing Club picked up medals at the competition, which took place in Prestatyn, Wales.
There were two multiple gold medal winners in the 15-year-old duo of Ethan Hendry, who won four, and Ross Sharp, who won two.
Logan Morris (17), Natalie Sayle (16), Erin Morris (14), Amirah Cherif (14) and Noah Sayle (10) also took home medals.
Head coach Kayleigh Kirk has been taking teams to the worlds since 2005.
She said: "I'm delighted that everyone came back with something – that was a big goal of mine.
"I don't want anyone to feel as if they have failed, because they are all so hard on themselves.
"They all had different challenges and battles with themselves and all did well. It was a good day."
Ross Sharp described his double medal win as a "dream".
"I've been here for so long, working through the different levels and Scottish and international competitions," he said.
"To go to the worlds was a dream and to win two golds there is one of the best feelings I've had."
The next World Championships are set to take place in Bali, Indonesia, towards the end of 2023.
The qualifiers are set to take place on February 4 in Paisley – with Kaizen hoping that they will be well represented at the competition.
For Hopeman's Ethan Hendry, who set a new personal record with four golds in Wales, qualifying for Bali would be another step on his life-long kickboxing journey.
"I fractured my leg when I was two and started watching Power Rangers when I was in hospital," he said of the beginning of his journey into the sport.
"When I got out of hospital I wanted to be a Power Ranger and was trying to throw leg kicks around.
"So my mum started me in kickboxing to strengthen my bones and I've not had any problems since then.
"I'll go into the qualifiers in three categories so hopefully I can get to Bali."
Kayleigh is hoping that as big a team as possible will head to the Worlds – although sponsorship will be needed, alongside fundraising.
"It's hard, because it's going to be another financial commitment and I don't put that on the families," Kayleigh added.
"If they qualify and they can do it then we will be there and we will try to support them with as much funding as possible.
"Once students go to one World Championship their growth is massive. So it'd be nice to see them to go out, with a bit of experience, and go another year.
"Ideally, I'd like them all to go but that's not realistic as it's a big ask and financial burden."
Any local businesses that are interested in sponsoring Kaizen should get in touch with Kayleigh at kayleighjkirk@gmail.com.
