ISKA UK Midland Open
The ISKA Midland Open amateur Kickboxing championships continued the progression of the forward thinking amateur division of ISKA UK Spearheaded by National Director Clifton Findley. The ISKA amateur ranks are growing constantly, and proof of this was evident again, as a horde of young and talented fighters converged on Leasowes Sports Centre in Birmingham to contest semi, light and full contact kickboxing categories.
Experienced referee Dave Hughes saw the semi and light divisions running smoothly throughout, and Mike Fowles oversaw the full contact to his usual high standards.
Promoted by Matt and James Winsper, who run the successful Winspers Gym in Kidderminster, there was, of course, lots of their home-grown fighters taking up the champion’s slots in many divisions. Nationally ranked full contact fighter Rachael ‘Mean’ Green once again came away with the spoils of victory, lifting the Full Contact -54kg trophy, taking her record to 6-2-0 and also the corresponding Light Contact award, too. Young future superstar Ryan Gifford, an eleven year old buzzsaw, came 1st in both semi and light contact, and undefeated young full contact competitor Connor Porter scored two sizzling wins to lift the youths -59kg trophy and go 5 fights unbeaten.
But there were plenty of other impressive performances from other gyms, too. Wayne Stokes’ Oldbury based School of Black Belts gym came away with several champions to their name, one being the capable heavyweight fighter Mike McDermott, who scored a spectacular spinning kick KO to lift the -91kg Full Contact title. Young Ryan Davies was another won, winning the light contact division and also stepping through the ropes to secure a superb victory in the full contact arena, too. At just 18 years of age, Davies’ slick style may make him a future champion to look out for.
Team TKA, headed by Lance Manyer in Tamworth, had their usual array of champions on display. Stacey Hawkins gave another power-hitting display to win her ladies’ full contact division, scoring a unanimous decision over Paragon Gym’s Lisa Kent in the final. Ellis Blake, already one of the finest young teenagers in Britain, if not the world, fought well to secure yet another win to add to his resume.
It was also nice to see a big name from the 80’s and 90’s present with the next generation of young fighters. Huddersfield’s Tony Sykes saw his son pick up a few trophies representing the Holme Valley Black Belt Academy, plus another promising future prospect in Ashley Branston become champion in his weight division for semi contact.
All in all, it was a terrific day of action, and promoter Matt Winsper promises the event will become a permanent fixture in the ISKA annual calendar!
6 June 2011
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