North East Kickboxing Academy fighters celebrate winning new titles

Kane Blakeburn, 20 from Dipton, lifted the WUMA British Title against the reigning champion Stuart Roper, from Sunderland, by unanimous decision.

Simren Rakhra, 39, won the WUMA Northern Area Title against Abbie Baird via split decision.

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Both fighters train out of the North East Kickboxing Academy based in Burnopfield and are trained by former professional world champion Wes Fagan.

Kane Blakeburn holds the WUMA British Title (Image: Northern Echo)

He said: “I’m over the moon to finish off the year with two big wins and two new champions under the NEKA roof.

“Both fighters had to really dig deep against top operating kickboxers.

“Simren has been with us for five years now and has shown nothing but 100 per cent commitment to kickboxing and to NEKA.

“She is an assistant coach at the club helping the youth and the young NEKA fighters train nobody deserves it more than her cementing her claim as to be the best female kickboxer at her weight in the North East.”

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Wes has trained Kane since 2009  and said he has never missed a class.

He said: “We’ve been all over the country and fought fighters from all over the world.

“He really is the complete kickboxing athlete. He lives this sport.

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“It’s only his first year as a senior and he’s already cleared up on the British scene beating two of the best kickboxers in Britain.”

Wes said he would like to see kickboxing included in the rosta for the next Olympic games.

There has been talks of a selection for the next Olympic games as Kickboxing is to be included in rosta.

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He added: “Kickboxing in the Olympics would change the face of martial arts and kickboxing.

“It would raise the profile and give the fighters opportunity to progress and get selected and funded to do something they love something.

“I always dreamt about fighting for Great Britain and on the big stage and seeing kickboxing been accepted and recognised as an Olympic Sport.

“I will do everything possible to make sure Kane would be included in the selection as he could easy carry the flag for Great Britain and have a good chance of bringing home a medal back to Dipton.”