THEY are the champions of the world and have put their native North-West Durham on the map as the UK's centre of junior kick-boxing .
At just 12 years old Jamie Bates of Lanchester has become the world's youngest kick-boxing champion.
He beat Hungarian Balint Farkas at an international meeting in Stanley Civic Hall on Sunday. He is joined by Gavin Graham, 16, of Catchgate, who also beat a Hungarian, named Blum for the BKDC world schoolboy title.
That means the two young fighters can add their name to Catchgate's Martial Arts Centre's roll of honour which already includes world champion Craig Richardson.
"We must now be the number one gym in the country for kick-boxing," said trainer Goff Bates, who is also Jamie's father.
"We had a great turn-out of local people cheering the lads on and we're very proud of them.
"The Hungarians said they would take up our rules and procedures, they were so impressed with what we're doing here."
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