Brandon is going for Spanish gold Murray (12) wants at least two world victories
Hamilton kickboxing ace Brandon Murray has set his sights on winning at least two gold medals at the World Championships in Spain in October.
The 12-year-old champion won a gold and a silver from last year’s event but wants two gold to start with – and if he’s entered into a third category, he wants to win the lot.
Brandon has the small matter of a British title defence at Rivals Gym in Bellshill on Sunday, ahead of the trip to Huelva, but mum Vicky says the Hamilton Grammar first-year pupil is focused.
She said: “Going into the World Championships Brandon is up an age group, and he could be fighting against guys who are 12, 13, 14 or even 15, and if they’re taller they’re going to have a bigger reach than his opponents have had before.
“We have to decide how many categories we’re going to put Brandon in for. He does light contact on the mat and in the ring, and points, but he’s not really a points fighter, so we might take him out of that and put him in for a higher weight, just to see how he gets on.
“His aspiration is to win more than one gold. Last year he won one gold, one silver, but was injured and felt that he could have got two golds.
“This time he’s going for two golds or maybe three, depending on what categories he’s in for.
“Brandon is really focused on trying to better himself and has real fire in his belly.”
Brandon has a title challenge coming up this weekend, and Vicky has briefly spoken to him about that, but the youngster says it’s all in hand.
She said: “Brandon took part in the WKA Scottish Open Championships at Ravenscraig at the start of August and was in three categories, but other fighters pulled out and he only ended up taking part in the -40kg light contact on the mat, but won gold.
“He is fighting really well and for him now it’s about getting to tournaments and mixing it up.
“Brandon has a title fight on Sunday for the -40kg full contact in the ring title and has been preparing well for that, because he knows he’s up against a good opponent.
“He’s focused and quietly confident; Brandon tells me he has a game-plan, it’s sorted, he’s gone over it all with his dad and I’ve just to enjoy the fight!”
Vicky would like to thank Eddlewood Bowling Club for hosting a fundraising bingo night on Friday, with the club generously providing bingo books and a prize.