Family's mission to help kickboxing son compete for England
The family of a rising star in the kickboxing world are raising funds to pay for him to represent England in the youth championships later this year.Theo, 11, from Bristol, started the sport six years ago and since then his overall confidence has grown.Horfield-based coach and seven times world champion kickboxer, Sharon Gill, said the cost of competitions can put people off, as its mainly "self-funded and very expensive".His mum Kelly is hoping to raise £3,000 to pay for him to compete in the European championships this September.
He has already won two national championships and now hopes to bring a title from for his country this autumn. "It really makes me feel so good about myself," Theo told BBC Radio Bristol."The first time I went to a lesson I was too nervous, but the second time...I loved it so much."I love that I can just go to kickboxing and not worry about anything."
"It's given him so much more confidence," Kelly said."He's so brave, it's a big thing to go out and compete and go onto the mats and have everybody watching you."
Ms Gill said the the standard of the European championships Theo will compete in is "very high"."For many people [competing] it's all self-funded and very expensive," she said."It is the hardest thing. [People] sometimes can't go because of how much it costs."
Ms Gill added how "amazing" it is to see the people she coaches follow in her footsteps and go on to excel at the sport.Theo hopes to compete in the WAKO European Youth Championships for Team GB in Italy in September.
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