KICKBOXERS from across the country came to Whittlesey on Saturday - but it was the Fenland fighters who starred on their home turf.
Competitors from Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire travelled to Sir Harry Smith Community College for the British and Chinese Kickboxing Association’s invitational tournament.
The BCKA, who train in Wisbech, March, Chatteris and Whittlesey, continued their imperious form by amassing another huge haul of silverware.
Once again it was the club’s juniors who set the tone, with Braydon Evans storming to victory in the tiny tot section.
Harley Hilliam took second place in the pee-wee category, while Edward Paddock triumphed in the cadet boys contest.
March’s Freya Molloy won the cadet girls with Wisbech’s Charlotte Cameron - who also took the girls continuous title - in third.
Courtney Brown, from Whittlesey, was named as fighter of the day after he powered to three victories in junior, senior and continuous categories. Meanwhile, Scott Wesley was in emphatic form as he dominated the men’s beginner and intermediate sections.
Leoni Whitwell, who returned to kickboxing action after a five-year absence, also caught the eye with a stylish comeback which saw her lift the ladies open title.
Coach Andy Whitwell said: “From the under-sevens (tiny tot) section right up to the veteran fighters, the display of technique, control and determination was plain for all to see.
“There wasn’t quite as many fighters as last year, but those who turned up didn’t disappoint and I am very proud of all of those students.
“The two fighters of the day for me, who showed the greatest effort, were Harley Hilliam and Edward Paddock.
“They both fought much larger opponents in the boys continuous section but they gave everything and won the hearts of the crowd - two students with really bright futures.”
The memorable event was the BCKA’s final tournament of the year.
Invitational Competition - Full Results
Tiny Tot
Braydon Evans - Champion (Whittlesey)
Alex Lazenby - 2nd (Stanground)
Tyler Harvey - 3rd (March)
Pee Wee
Declan Etches - Champion (Skegness)
Harley Hilliam - 2nd (Whittlesey)
Masia Lachi - 3rd (Thrapston)
Cadet Girls
Freya Molloy - Champion (March)
Jaden Harris - 2nd (Stanground)
Charlotte Cameron - 3rd (Wisbech)
Cadet Boys
Edward Paddock - Champion (Whittlesey)
Alex Carter - 2nd (Lincoln)
Kane Coleman - 3rd (Stanground)
Youth
Jack Etches - Champion (Skegness)
Harry Nunn - 2nd (Stanground)
Zac Culpin - 3rd (Whittlesey)
Junior
Courtney Brown - Champion (Whittlesey)
Leon Gold - 2nd (Stanground
Zac Culpin - 3rd (Whittlesey)
Men Beginner
Scott Wesley - Champion (Whittlesey)
Sam Stevenson - 2nd (Stamford)
Cairan Veni - 3rd (Stanground)
Men Intermediate
Scott Wesley - Champion (Whittlesey)
Wayne Whitehead - 2nd (Whittlesey)
David Richards - 3rd (Melton Mowbray)
Men Senior
Courtney Brown - Champion (Whittlesey)
Grant Brown - 2nd (Whittlesey)
Karl Strange - 3rd (Whittlesey)
Ladies Open
Leoni Whitwell - Champion (Whittlesey)
Deborah Peters - 2nd (Stamford)
Alycia Spencer - 3rd (Ramsey)
Veteran
Colm Watkins - Champion (Melton Mowbray)
Simon Munday - 2nd (Wisbech)
Daren Nunn - 3rd (Stanground)
Boys Continuous
Jack Etches - Champion (Skegness)
Harry Nunn - 2nd (Stanground)
Edward Paddock - 3rd (Whittlesey)
Harley Hilliam - 3rd (Whittlesey)
Girls Continuous
Charlotte Cameron - Champion (Wisbech)
Jaden Harris - 2nd (Stanground)
Heather Rae - 3rd (March)
Men under 80kg Continuous
Courtney Brown - Champion (Whittlesey)
Craig Whitehead - 2nd (Whittlesey)
Men over 80kg Continuous
Daren Nunn - Champion (Stanground)
Ritchie Walton - 2nd (Whittlesey)
David Richards - 3rd (Melton Mowbray)
Ladies Continuous
Deborah Peters - Champion (Stamford)
Chelsea Munday - 2nd (Wisbech)
Alycia Spencer - 3rd (Ramsey)
Kung-Fu Sets
Emmadee Fox - Champion (Melton Mowbray)
Zac Culpin - 2nd (Whittlesey)
Three Person Team
Whittlesey A - Champions
Whittlesey B - 2nd
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here