A Cumbrian 16-year-old has qualified to fight for England in next year’s world kickboxing championships.
Tom Johnston, of Seaton, fought in two categories at the English WKU kickboxing championships – where he won two title belts and an invitation to represent England in next year’s world championships in Canada.
Tom, who is also a Keswick School sixth form student, said: “I beat all my opponents, but the best part was they all gave a good fight back, which makes the sport as fun as what it is.”
The youngster fought in the under-18s open weight category at the English championship in Birmingham and won in the sub categories of continuous and kick lite kickboxing.
Talking about his invitation to the world championships, Tom’s dad, Frank, 45, said: “It’s a massive opportunity for him, he’s doing really well. He’s consistently winning, he’s won everything from MMA to grappling competitions. He’s very well rounded and is a national champion in both MMA and kickboxing, he’s difficult for people to fight against.
“He is looking forward to going to Canada, he loves to compete and test himself, but he enjoys the sport more than the travel. It’ll be five days in the arena when he goes, he’s just really pleased to be representing England again.
“He’s definitely excited but he takes everything in his stride, he’s really quite humble, even his school teachers don’t know what he has just won. He’s just really grateful for having a good team around him and he always says while it looks like an individual sport, it isn’t. His club Tapout Knockout have done a lot to support him.”
Tom has also been ranked as the fifth best male youth fighter in the UK and Ireland by FightWatch, an independent combat sports media outlet which researches and finds the best fighters in the UK.
Frank added: “It is an expensive sport but it is what he chooses to do and what we will do as a family is support him in every way possible. His big goal is to be UFC champion and all of this is part of his goals and aspirations.”
“The people who currently sponsor Tom are Kyle Barlow from West Lakes Demolition and John Wedgewood from Kerry Park Dental Laboratories. Kyle’s bought Tom some of his equipment, the headguard, gloves, shin protector and boots add up to nearly £500, so he’s helped him with those. John has also helped out with fees and made his gum shield as well.”
The sixth former has also qualified for the English youth MMA team who he will fight with in Abu Dhabi next August.
