Kickboxers hit the medal trail at national championships
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THREE local kickboxers have been in action at major competitions at home and abroad.
Ryan Refell, who runs Nemesis Kickboxing Academies in Thurso and Kirkwall, was delighted with the performances of his charges at the Scottish Championships in Wishaw and the Athens Challenge Tournament.
Ryan himself entered the national event on February 10 which attracted 500 competitors from throughout Scotland.
"It was a really long day," he said. "We arrived at about 9.30am and didn’t get out until after 7.30pm.
"It was however another good experience, particularly for our fighters who were competing for the first time."
Ryan competed well to claim a silver medal in the under 75 kilo point fighting category.
Thurso’s Logan Mathers took home a silver in the under 65 kilo point fighting. Club-mate Gregor MacLean did not make the podium but he competed well in the under 70kg point fighting and showed he has the potential to win honours.
Orkney’s Caitlin Foran meanwhile celebrated after becoming a double Scottish champion in the women’s under 50kg and under 55kg point fighting while Jo Birkett won the women’s under 65kg point fighting title.
A week earlier, Ryan accompanied Orkney-based Ian and Amy Golder to the international Athens Challenge.
Amy won silver in the under 45kg black belt section while Ian returned with a bronze in the under 75kg advanced veteran class.
"I’m very pleased with the both of them, this competition could have been a World Championship with the level it is and they both held their own against very good fighters," said Ryan.
"I want to say a special well done to Ian who is 50 years of age and getting younger and fitter every week."
The next date on the academy’s competitive calendar is the I.C.O Welsh Open in Pontypool on March 3.
Anyone wanting details on kickboxing tuition or of classes with Nemesis should contact Ryan Reffell on: 07824429190.
