Latest news with #kickboxing
The Independent
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Humanoid robots fail to hit each other during martial arts battle in China
Two robots attempted to battle it out using martial arts skills in a competition in China, footage released on 12 July shows. The humanoid machines, wearing jerseys and gloves, faced off during a boxing show at the ZheBA event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Video showed the pair facing each other and throwing punches into the air without making conact with one another. One of the robots fell to the floor as laughter rang out inside the venue. It comes after the world's first humanoid robot kickboxing tournament was held in the Chinese city. Footage showed robots throwing fists and knees in front of a baying crowd until one loses its balance and falls backwards, tumbling outside the ring.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- The Sun
Mystery of Brit dad found dead in pool of blood with phone missing in Thailand as even ex-cop left baffled by case
A GRIEVING father has been left frustrated and heartbroken after his former British kickboxing champion son died in mysterious circumstances in Thailand. Offshore oil rig supervisor Steven Russell, 45, was found dead at home in Dumrongsuk Village, northeast of Bangkok, just before Christmas. 8 8 8 His father, John Russell, 76, said his family have been left without answers and are now trying to piece together how Steven died. That's because a Thai police probe, a UK coroner's inquest, and an investigation by a former cop all could not find a cause. John said he's now been left "desensitised" after having to deal with the grisly details of his son's death. He told The Sun: "From the photographs, he [Steven] was laying on a settee covered with a blanket, and the blanket was soaked in blood, on the floor was obviously dry blood. "He'd been there for at least three days." Steven's body was found after neighbours raised the alarm on December 22. They alerted the village headman and the police. Upon arrival, the house was locked from the inside, preventing entry. Rescue workers were called to get inside the house, and Steven was found lying on his back, covered with a blanket, on the sofa in the living room. Brit doctors in January were unable to confirm how he had died when his body was brought back to the UK for a formal coroner's probe. New CCTV of Brit 'mule' Bella May Culley 'smuggling £200k of cannabis' released as cops slam her claims she was coerced John said he believed it was unlikely that Steven's death had been caused by some traumatic and violent event. He said: "There was no signs of anyone breaking in. "And the autopsy said that all his organs were normal, they were healthy, there was no signs of any traumas, you know, no punctures in the skin. "All I'm saying is there's like an open verdict in my mind. I can't even, if someone asked me, 'why do you think you died', the answer is 'I don't know', and I don't know whether we'll ever know." 8 8 But, the father said that nothing could be ruled out - even poisoning. "The only thing we couldn't prove is if he'd been poisoned. "No way to prove it. Having said that, he was laying on a settee, he was covered up. "If you were in pain, would you have gotten up or would you have just laid there? Again, I don't know." The family has now been left trying to track down Steve's last moments to figure out what led up to his death. "What we're trying to do is put together everything, you know, to do with Facebook messages and everything, you know, to try and button that up. 8 8 "One of the hardest things was, I paid to have all his possessions sent back, and when I got them there was nothing there... we believe he had an iPhone, and we never got that back..." They're now trying to get access to Steven's social media accounts and speak to all his pals to see when he last messaged. Due to the condition of Steven's body, they believe he was dead for several days before being found. John said: "So obviously he died before the 22nd, probably around the 19th." Determining when Steven died could be important to trying to figure out how he died. The inquest into Steven's death was held at the Norfolk Coroner's Court in January. Dr Laszlo Igali, histopathologist, said the medical cause of death could not be ascertained, according to Norwich Evening News. A hearing in June again gave an open verdict on the cause of his death. John slammed Thai cops who had been unhelpful in every aspect of Steven's death. "I got a message on Messenger on the 22nd of December, saying, 'sorry for your loss.' And I wrote back and said, 'what do you mean?' "And the person came back and said, 'didn't you know Stephen died?' And that's how I found out." The grandfather has also paid tribute to his son, saying he was an incredibly determined person. "His ambition was to live in Thailand and work wherever." Steven had settled in Thailand in 2022, but had lived there on and off for a number of years leaving for extended periods of time to work on oil rigs. Steven had also been a champion kickboxer, winning the English and British WKU titles in the early 2000s. He turned pro and fought seven bouts with a record of one win, one draw, and five losses across the space of two years.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Combat sports review after death of kickboxer, 15
A review of the safety of children who compete in combat sports has been ordered by the government following the death of a 15-year-old world kickboxing champion. Alex Eastwood, from Fazakerley in Liverpool, died on 29 June 2024, three days after he collapsed following an unsanctioned charity fight against a 17-year-old opponent in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Advertisement Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock told MPs that Sport England would work with the martial arts sector to identify safety improvements and present a plan "in the coming months". She was responding to calls for better regulation of martial arts competitions from Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden, who is supporting Alex's parents. 'Safeguarding failures' Carden said he had called the debate in the House of Commons with "a heavy heart" and that "Alex's death was not simply a tragic accident but a preventable loss" which had "highlighted a dangerous gap in our duty to protect children". Advertisement Alex's father Stephen Eastwood and step-mother Nikita were in the public gallery to hear the debate. Speaking outside Parliament while holding a photograph of his son, Mr Eastwood said several safeguarding failures had come to light during Alex's inquest. He said parents often "assumed" sporting events were sanctioned and regulated, but that had not been the case with the charity fundraiser fight at TKMA Gym in Platt Bridge, Wigan. Mr Eastwood said he and his wife had fallen "victim" to the assumption "that everything was above board - we assumed that everything was in place". Advertisement He said it was only during last month's inquest that the family had discovered "that wasn't true". Alex Eastwood's death has been described by an MP as "not simply a tragic accident but a preventable loss" [Family handout] Mr Eastwood said he would not like to see kickboxing banned for children since "it helps keep them off the streets, it helps tackle obesity, it's good for mental awareness [and] it gives them a springboard going into future life". But he said there needed to be better safeguarding, first aid facilities and medical care available. Mr and Mrs Eastwood are due to meet Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy on Monday and will ask her to implement "a minimum standard for gyms that have children in", including "proper DBS checks and proper safeguarding". Advertisement Mrs Eastwood urged other families involved in kickboxing to ask questions of the venues where their children train and compete. She said: "Ask, is this a regulated gym? Where are your DBS checks? Who's your health and safety officer? Who's your safeguarding coach?" She suggested that gyms could also display this information on their walls. Peacock said her department and Sport England would work together to develop guidance for the martial arts sector and review safeguarding codes to ensure they were fit for purpose. She said Sport England would also work with the children's charity NSPCC to help educate parents and carers on what to look for when considering martial arts tuition. Advertisement Peacock said her department was also exploring ways to strengthen safety standards in clubs and competitions that are not affiliated with national governing bodies. She said conversations were also being had with the martial arts sector to understand how to help parents and carers be confident that their children are safe when participating. 'Unsanctioned and unregulated' Carden told the Commons the inquest into Alex's death heard that standards around safety, medical oversight and safeguarding varied widely, and in many cases were absent. He added: "If a match is unofficial or unsanctioned, there is no guideline minimum standard that must be met to provide safeguarding for a child participant, no minimum standard of medical support that might be required, no maximum rounds, no periods of rest, no welfare checks on participants, and no risk assessment and critical incident plan. Advertisement "It should stop us all in our tracks to learn that in this country, children can be placed in combat situations without clear, enforceable national protections." Carden said Alex's family had "done everything right - everything a loving family would do. They encouraged him to get involved in a range of sports and activities and supported him when it became clear that he had a talent for kickboxing". But he said "they and Alex were failed by a lack of safeguarding, responsibility and regulation". He told MPs: "Every single day, children up and down the country take part in activities like Alex did. They lace up gloves, put on headgear and step into training halls and rings, with no minimum standards in place to ensure their safety." Advertisement He said parents like the Eastwoods would be oblivious to some of the risks of unsanctioned and unregulated bouts. Peacock said: "The coroner's report on the case of Alexander Eastwood highlighted specific issues around clubs and competitions that are not affiliated with a national governing body. We are now looking into that as a matter of urgency." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. More on this story Related internet links
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Determined parents 'will not stop until meaningful change has taken place' after death of son
The issue of child safety in combat sports will be debated in the House of Commons following the tragic death of 15-year-old kickboxer Alex Eastwood. Alex, from Fazakerley, died on July 2 last year, three days after suffering a "catastrophic" head injury while competing in an unsanctioned match. The world championship winner fought three individual rounds at the TKMA gym in Platt Bridge, Wigan, before collapsing. An inquest last month found there were "no minimum standards" for health and safety at the fundraising event, and that kickboxing clubs are not required to register with governing authorities. Following the hearing, Alex's stepmum Nikita said: "What happened to him was not just a tragic accident - the inquest has made clear to us that it was a failure of safeguarding, of responsibility, and of regulation. READ MORE: Liverpool's 'Bullring' where thousands have lived over 90 years READ MORE: Family tribute to 'best big brother', 16, found dead on railway tracks 'Alex died after a fight that we now see should never have happened. There was no national governing body involvement, and no clear or enforced safety standards. His death must be a line in the sand so that these failures change." The coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report in March over the lack of guidance and regulation in contact sports involving children. The report read: "No base line or minimum standards of what safeguarding or necessary risk management is set out for those who plan or organise an 'official' or 'unofficial' match where physical force may be used between or against a child participant. "Under current circumstance, arrangements for each and every contact sport contest involving a child is left to the judgement of an organiser who may have recourse to principles provided by a sports association, if the match is to meet official status. "If a match is unofficial or unsanctioned, there is no guideline of what minimum standards must be met to provide safeguarding for a child participant." An adjournment debate, secured by Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden, will be heard in Parliament on Tuesday, July 8, to address the urgent need for national safeguarding of child participation in combat sports. In a statement, Alex's family said: 'We welcome the adjournment debate and are grateful to Dan Carden for bringing this issue forward. "No family should have to go through what we have. We want to ensure Alex's death leads to real change and that children across the UK are properly protected.' Dan Carden MP said: 'I'm proud to have secured a debate in Alex Eastwood's memory to push for stronger safeguards for children in combat sports. No child should be put at such risk. It's time for clear national standards to prevent another tragedy like Alex's.' Alex's parents, dad Stephen and stepmum Nikita, will also meet with Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to discuss proposals for reform on Monday, July 14. The request was made in a letter from Alex's parents' legal representatives at law firm Leigh Day. Jill Paterson, lawyer representing the family, said: 'This debate is a crucial moment for children's sport. "Alex's inquest has shone a light on serious and disturbing shortcomings relating to children's safety when participating in combat sports. Knowing the determination of Alex's parents, they will not stop until meaningful change has taken place.'
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Combat sports review follows death of Liverpool kickboxer, 15
A review of the safety of children who compete in combat sports has been ordered by the government following the death of a 15-year-old world kickboxing Eastwood, from Fazakerley in Liverpool, died on 29 June 2024, three days after he collapsed following an unsanctioned charity fight against a 17-year-old opponent in Wigan, Greater Minister Stephanie Peacock told MPs that Sport England would work with the martial arts sector to identify safety improvements and present a plan "in the coming months".She was responding to calls for better regulation of martial arts competitions from Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden, who is supporting Alex's parents. 'Safeguarding failures' Carden said he had called the debate in the House of Commons with "a heavy heart" and that "Alex's death was not simply a tragic accident but a preventable loss" which had "highlighted a dangerous gap in our duty to protect children".Alex's father Stephen Eastwood and step-mother Nikita were in the public gallery to hear the debate. Speaking outside Parliament while holding a photograph of his son, Mr Eastwood said several safeguarding failures had come to light during Alex's said parents often "assumed" sporting events were sanctioned and regulated, but that had not been the case with the charity fundraiser fight at TKMA Gym in Platt Bridge, Eastwood said he and his wife had fallen "victim" to the assumption "that everything was above board - we assumed that everything was in place". He said it was only during last month's inquest that the family had discovered "that wasn't true". Mr Eastwood said he would not like to see kickboxing banned for children since "it helps keep them off the streets, it helps tackle obesity, it's good for mental awareness [and] it gives them a springboard going into future life".But he said there needed to be better safeguarding, first aid facilities and medical care and Mrs Eastwood are due to meet Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy on Monday and will ask her to implement "a minimum standard for gyms that have children in", including "proper DBS checks and proper safeguarding".Mrs Eastwood urged other families involved in kickboxing to ask questions of the venues where their children train and compete. She said: "Ask, is this a regulated gym? Where are your DBS checks? Who's your health and safety officer? Who's your safeguarding coach?"She suggested that gyms could also display this information on their said her department and Sport England would work together to develop guidance for the martial arts sector and review safeguarding codes to ensure they were fit for said Sport England would also work with the children's charity NSPCC to help educate parents and carers on what to look for when considering martial arts said her department was also exploring ways to strengthen safety standards in clubs and competitions that are not affiliated with national governing said conversations were also being had with the martial arts sector to understand how to help parents and carers be confident that their children are safe when participating. 'Unsanctioned and unregulated' Carden told the Commons the inquest into Alex's death heard that standards around safety, medical oversight and safeguarding varied widely, and in many cases were added: "If a match is unofficial or unsanctioned, there is no guideline minimum standard that must be met to provide safeguarding for a child participant, no minimum standard of medical support that might be required, no maximum rounds, no periods of rest, no welfare checks on participants, and no risk assessment and critical incident plan. "It should stop us all in our tracks to learn that in this country, children can be placed in combat situations without clear, enforceable national protections."Carden said Alex's family had "done everything right - everything a loving family would do. They encouraged him to get involved in a range of sports and activities and supported him when it became clear that he had a talent for kickboxing". But he said "they and Alex were failed by a lack of safeguarding, responsibility and regulation".He told MPs: "Every single day, children up and down the country take part in activities like Alex did. They lace up gloves, put on headgear and step into training halls and rings, with no minimum standards in place to ensure their safety." He said parents like the Eastwoods would be oblivious to some of the risks of unsanctioned and unregulated said: "The coroner's report on the case of Alexander Eastwood highlighted specific issues around clubs and competitions that are not affiliated with a national governing body. We are now looking into that as a matter of urgency." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
