This past weekend, Team NSK travelled north of the border to compete at the ICO Scotland 4 Nations Championships — a key part of the competitive ICO circuit. With the World Championships later this year, the atmosphere was electric, and the standard of competition was high across every division.
Our fighters gave everything across both fighting and forms, showing the resilience, skill, and determination that makes Team NSK stand out
Ash led the way in Light Contact, powering through her semi-final with sharp, controlled kicking that drew praise from coaches of other gyms. In the final, she faced a bigger, stronger opponent she had narrowly lost to in Wales earlier in the year. This time, she turned the tables — using clever ring craft, slick footwork, and brave inside fighting to take a hard-earned victory. The gold medal was a massive moment, and a reminder of just how much she’s developed as a fighter.
On Sunday, Ash switched gears and stepped onto the mats for Hardstyle Kata. Her performance was powerful, precise, and polished, earning her a strong score of 26.7 and another gold medal — showing her versatility across disciplines as well as her determination to excel.
Ewan also battled hard over the weekend, putting on some brilliant performances. In Advanced Light Contact, he impressed in the semi-final with sharp head kicks before heading into a tough final. After two close rounds, the decision went against him on a split, giving him a silver medal for his efforts.
Later, in Advanced Low Kick, he fought through the pain of an earlier injury in what became a tight, scrappy final. Pushing all the way to a third round, Ewan showed huge determination before losing out on another split decision, adding a second silver to his haul.
Scotland Results
🥇 2 Golds – Ash (Light Contact, Hardstyle Kata)
🥈 2 Silvers – Ewan (Advanced Light Contact, Advanced Low Kick)
With Scotland wrapped up, our 2025 medal and trophy count now stands at:
🏆 5 Trophies
🥇 16 Golds
🥈 6 Silvers
🥉 3 Bronze
Looking Ahead
Ash’s double gold was a huge highlight, and both fighters proved that Team NSK belongs on the mats and in the ring against tough opposition. Scotland showed that we are building something special — and it’s clear that North Staffordshire Kickboxing is putting itself firmly on the map amongst some of the big gyms in the UK.
Now the fight team’s focus switches to Oxford, as we keep building momentum towards the rest of the 4 Nations and the World Championships later this year. 🚀