Youngsters prove they are made of fight stuff

MARTIAL artists from Widnes representing Team GB brought home 10 medals and one world title last month after competing at the WFMC World Championships.

The team, trained by Kru Lundy, the chief instructor of Widnes Thai Boxing based at Hale Road in Widnes, prepared the team for the championships held in the German city of Hagen just south of Dortmund.

One of the club’s senior instructors, Kru Rory Robertson from Runcorn, coached and travelled with the team to lead them to a great victory.

The competitors from Widnes were Emily Kelly aged 11 who secured a world title while 12-year-old Liam Derbyshire, Kayla Garvey, also 12, and 11-year-old Lilly Chandler all won medals.

Most members of the team have trained in the sport since the age of four and had successfully passed through a selection process and were chosen by England representative Master Wayne Edwards.

They all competed in different forms of martial arts – Muay Thai, Kickboxing and K1 as Kru Lundy and Kru Robertson had trained them in all disciplines over the years.

Their success winning medals means they will automatically be entered into the World Championships and will be competing at Almere in The Netherlands with more competitors from Widnes Thai Boxing Club as Kru Lundy is preparing more students to participate in the Team GB qualifiers in West Bromwich this month.

A delighted Kru Lundy said: “It was a successful event to bring home five silver, five bronze and a world title. “It is amazing. “Full credit to the team of juniors who worked very hard to gain the ability to compete at world class standard and also by raising the money themselves along with their parents and teammates to cover costs by bag packing in Asda in Widnes, fun days at our club, car wash days and from the great support of the local community.

“This is not just successful gaining wins for Team GB but success by bringing the community together to help support our youth, great memories and kindness gained we are in gratitude for all who supported our great team.” ●

Instructor Kru Rory Robertson is pictured with youngsters Emily Kelly, Liam Derbyshire, Kayla Garvey and Lilly Chandler who all fought superbly to win a clutch of honours in Germany.