This weekend, North Staffordshire Kickboxing headed to the BLCC event for a full day of competition, development, and valuable ring experience. With a team made up of both first-time fighters and those continuing their journey, the focus was on growth, learning, and applying what’s been worked on in the gym.
Events like this play a huge role in a fighter’s development. It’s one thing to train in the gym, but stepping into the ring brings a completely different level of pressure, decision-making, and resilience. Every member of the team stepped up to that challenge.
George made his debut after just three months of training. Showing real courage, he stepped into the ring against a more experienced opponent. After picking up a nosebleed in round one, he didn’t let it affect him, continuing to push forward, listen to instructions, and make adjustments mid-fight. A strong performance that shows great potential for the future.
Ash faced a highly experienced opponent and showed exactly what it means to step up to a challenge. Moving forward with confidence, she demonstrated clean technique, effective movement, and even introduced spinning techniques into her performance. It was a tough bout, but one that highlighted both skill and determination.
Imogen stepped into a demo bout against a much more experienced fighter and showed clear progression from her previous performance. Taking on feedback from her last fight, she applied those improvements in the ring, showing commitment to her development. Despite taking a solid front kick to the face, she carried on without hesitation, showing maturity and resilience throughout. Impressively, this was all while balancing her GCSE exams.
Barney had a challenging first bout, facing an opponent who was warned for excessive power. Despite taking a number of heavy shots, Barney remained composed, worked on his defence, and made adjustments as the fight progressed. Although he didn’t get the result, his attitude and control under pressure stood out. He later returned for a second demo bout, where he showcased strong technical ability, controlled the distance effectively, and landed clean shots.
Claire stepped into the ring for the very first time in a demo bout. Making that first walk into the ring is always a big moment, and she handled it brilliantly. It was a great introduction to competition, giving her valuable experience and a strong foundation to build on.
Ewan delivered a strong performance, listening carefully to the advice given in the corner by Ash. He made the necessary adjustments during the fight and ultimately secured the win. This bout provided an important opportunity for both fighter and coach, giving Ewan valuable ring time ahead of the World Championships, while also allowing Ash to continue developing her cornering skills.
Overall, the day was a success for the team. While results are always part of competition, the focus remains on development, and every fighter came away having learned something valuable to take back into training.
A big thank you goes to the BLCC for continuing to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all competitors, and to TMA for hosting the event. Opportunities like this are vital for the growth of both fighters and coaches alike.
We’re incredibly proud of the whole team and looking forward to building on this moving forward. 👊