Trio in medals at national competition in Edinburgh
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FIGHTERS from Highland Kickboxing Club have shown they are among the best in Britain after picking up silverware at a national competition.
Bonar Bridge kickboxers Luke Murray, Jack Ross (12) and trainer Chud Ridley from Lairg were among 700 competitors from across the UK at the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations’ (WAKO) Edinburgh Open on 4th May, the largest kickboxing tournament ever held in Scotland.
Luke, a blue belt, outclassed his eight opponents with superior speed and technique to win the under-84kg intermediate continuous category.
Jack, an orange belt and taking part in his first major competition after training at the club for two years, lost his semi-final in the under-45kg beginner category by a single point, but gave his next opponent an 8-1 hammering to take third place.
Last up was Highland Kickboxing Club instructor Chud Ridley, who was slightly dispirited to come in third place in the over-84kg advanced continuous category, despite it being his first competition in over a year.
He said: "I’m quite disappointed with the way I fought today but to come home with a medal is satisfying. But today was all about Jack and Luke and testing their skills and themselves.
"I’m delighted we all took home a medal and we now have a WAKO Scottish Champ in our club, which sounds great. We must be doing something right up here.
"It also gives Bonar’s sister club in Brora a wee bit of incentive to train harder. Who knows, in a few months there could be more medals coming.
North club members have had extra coaching from points fighting world champion David Firth, who has been coming up every month.
Chud added: "It was also quite an emotional day for everyone in Edinburgh as we remembered Jack Morley, who was a guy I used to train with in Elgin. He was a big name in the kickboxing world, not just in Moray and the Highlands but internationally too. He’ll be sorely missed by a lot of folk. Rest in peace Jack."
Highland Kickboxing Club trains at Bonar Bridge Hall on Tuesday and Thursday and Brora Scout Hall on Wednesdays.
Newcomers for fitness or for fight training are welcome. Brora Scout Hall sessions are busy, so please contact in advance.
For more information visit www.highlandkickboxingclub.co.uk or email highlandkickboxing@ymail.com.
