GFC Junior Road Trip
On the 11th August 6 GFC Juniors travelled down to Crawley to compete on John Jarvis’s show. Setting of at 9.30 in the morning, the team faced a 250 mile journey to get to the fights. Things were going great until we hit the M25 and traffic, no wonder the M25 is known as the world’s largest car park!
The team ready to set off in the morning (apart from Zac who went down the night before) Arriving a little late, the team weighed, all making the desired weight for their fights.
Kyle Teale
First up was Kyle Teale who won a unanimous points win over his opponent from Semtex Thai. This makes three wins from three fights for Kyle.
Conlan Teale
Second was Conlan Teale, in his first fight, competing for the English title at 25kgs. His opponent was George Jarvis, hometown boy and instructors son. Conlan started a little slow in the first two rounds but came back well, winning the fourth round big, normally enough to win a Thai Boxing fight. At the bell the judges had it a draw, but as it was for a vacant title there had to be a decision and the judges went for the hometown boy. This was an excellent Thai Boxing fight between a seven and eight year old and Conlan should not be disappointed with his performance!
Ricco Young
Next up was Ricco Young, fighting for the English 33kg title in only his 3rd fight. His opponent, the highly rated Issac Ashley from Cornwall had not been beaten in his nine fights, with seven wins and two draws. Ricco started very strong and won the first two rounds easily. He tired a little but still did not allow Issac to get any clean shots off and at the bell was declared the winner and the new English champion.
Luke Phillips
Next up was the top of the bill Junior fight between Luke Phillips and the highly rated Danny Hendel for the British junior title at 28kgs. Luke was taller and a little heavier than his opponent, who was much more experienced than Luke, and had also trained and fought in Thailand the Mecca of Thai Boxing. Good things are often written about both these boys and this was a justifiable British Title fight without a doubt.
Through out the fight Luke used a variety of techniques with some good clinch work and knees, excellent front kicks which kicked Danny clean of his feet on more than one occasion and also put Danny down for an eight count in the third round, and in the later rounds some great turning and off balancing techniques in the clinch to win a landslide points victory and become new British Champion.
Zac Young
Next for the gym was Zac Young who, after losing a split decision against the British Champion in his first fight, was fighting another hometown boy Suk Singh for the English title at 46kg in his second fight. Zac started strong and in the third round was puling away, clearly winning the fight. Unfortunately one of Zac’s body kicks slipped up of the shoulder of Suk and caught him in the chin putting him down. As head shots are not allowed in junior Thai boxing this was an illegal blow, but accidental. Suk was unable to continue and the bout was declared a no contest. Very unfortunate as it looked as though Zac was going to win.
Georgina Greenwood
Last up for the gym was Georgina Greenwood fighting for the Ladies junior English title at 46kgs. Her opponent looked much bigger and older and came for a very good gym in Scorpions, the corner consisting of Chief Instructor Mark Wakeling, sons Steven, World Champion and Michael, British Champion. Georgina also faced a very intimidating partisan crowd who left us in no doubt who they wanted to win! All the GFC team were very nervous going into this fight. Despite this Georgina fought very well, growing in confidence as the fight went on. Her opponent landed several illegal punches to the head and this resulted in two points being deducted. She was the stronger girl, but Georgina used her head and landed cleaner blows through out the fight. At the end Georgina was declared the new English Champion to add to her Northern Area title belt.
All the fighters from GFC did themselves proud, not just with their performance in the ring but also with their demeanour outside the ring, something that was commented on by several instructors the promoters and members of the crowd.
We could easily walked away with a 100% record and came very close to winning all five titles, an excellent performance!
The 250 mile journey home followed but with four wins, one close loss and a no contest the team where on a high.