KICKBOXING: Quartet impress

More than 4,000 competitors took part from over 100 countries with Oasis O’Reilly, Cara Scott and Bailie Aliriza winning golds and Poppy Groves a silver.

Aliriza, 14, a student at Manshead Upper School who has been kickboxing for almost four years, triumphed in the light continuous 65kg-plus section.

There was victory for 10-year-old Priory Academy pupil O’Reilly in the light continuous girls U35kg section.

O’Reilly, who has been kickboxing for five years and progressed to black belt by the age of nine, said: “I am very proud of my gold medals and I am so happy to be a World Champ. All the training and hard work has paid off.”

Purple belt Barnfield Vale Academy student Scott, 10, who has been kickboxing for just over one year, won the light continuous girls U31kg category.

Scott, who was also named Student Of The Year in November for Templar Martial Arts, said: “Representing England in the WKA World Championships was a dream come true. To then get a gold medal was amazing and I can’t wait until the next World Championships.”

Priory Academy’s Groves, 12, finished runner-up in the girls U50kg section, and said: “The opportunity to represent England in the World Championships is something I felt honoured to do.

“Kickboxing has been my passion for the past five years and winning silver in Italy was amazing and made me feel proud.”

They are coached by Andy Pilborough Skinner from Templar Martial Arts and have all qualified for next year’s World Championships.

Only one has a sponsor though and anyone interested in helping can call Skinner on 07954 601628.