By James Bovington
Seven teenage fighters from Bramley’s Bad Company gym are looking forward to taking part in an international Thai Boxing tournament in the northern Italian city of Verona.
The young people will be competing over four days from 25 June having been selected for Team England, with gym owners Richard Smith and Lisa Houghton-Smith again being chief coaches.
Brothers Logan and Cade Smith attend Crawshaw Academy in Pudsey and competed in Venice last year.
Dad Alex said: “They’re both training daily to prepare and they’re mixing boxing training with strength and mobility coaching.
“Logan’s taking GCSE exams at present so it’s tricky juggling everything, but their teachers are helpful giving the boys time off when needed. Cade has got a wall of fame at school celebrating his world titles in Brazilian jujitsu and Thai Boxing.
“Logan also helps coach the younger fighters. Cade’s training in both kids’ and adults’ classes in preparation for Verona.”
Also bound for Italy are Bramley’s Cole Chapman, 12, who won a British title at 34 kg on the recent Leeds Hitman show where he apparently kicked the show off in style.
Cole’s moving up to compete at 36 kg. The self-funded team also includes fellow Hitman champion Fergus Smith along with Charlie Bedford, Keevah Render and Harper Render.
Richard Smith added: “These youngsters qualified by winning their categories in last October’s Muay Thai GB British Open Championships here in Leeds and then passed selection with a panel of experts,
“They’re now looking forward to being part of the 46-strong Team England who’ll form a sizeable contingent amongst the 900 or so participants in Verona from approaching eighty countries.”
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