Golden haul for Newark kickboxers

The Newark Martial Arts Club returned from the WKA world kickboxing championships in Spain with a string of medals.

Five of them were gold, thanks to Regis Sugden (two) Bailey Sugden, Chad Sugden and Jordan Frost, while Danny Swanwick and Robbie Pooley won silver medals and there was bronze for Thomas Rawlinson and Charlie Pearson.

The first of the golds was won by 11-year-old Bailey Sugden, the younger brother of European champion Regis and world champion Chad. All three are the sons of the club’s chief instructor Dean Sugden — himself a former world champion.

Bailey came out on top against the 12-year-old Welsh champion. After two close rounds, the Newark youngster took over in the third and final round to show why he was worthy of the gold medal and the title of WKA world open champion.

The win came after Charlie Pearson and Thomas Rawlinson, both aged nine, gave away height and age in their semi- finals against fighters from Lebanon and England respectively.

Pearson was unfortunate not to get the decision in his semi-final as he showed his quality with a great performance against the 12-year-old Thai boxing champion, losing on a controversial decision against the eventual winner.

Robbie Pooley (9) lost to an older and taller opponent from the Ukraine, but it was a close fight in the final, and the youngster will be back again and even stronger next year.

The second gold for the Newark fighters was won by Jordan Frost (14) who fought against a tough Irish opponent in the semi-final before an all- England final against Ellis Blake.

Blake had already won gold in the light continuous, but the explosive Frost produced the quickest stoppage in the history of Newark Martial Arts Club just five seconds from the bell in the first round.

The Newarker landed a strong body kick which meant Ellis could not recover in time to beat the count.

Next up for Newark was Danny Swanwick (13) who was again giving away age and height as he lost out on a split decision.

The stage was set for Regis Sugden to turn things around for the Newark club, and the 14-year-old totally dominated his opponent, giving his fighter three standing counts in the first round before he declined to come out for the second.

Regis was crowned full contact world champion, but was disappointed not to get a tougher test of his capabilities, and decided to make his K1 debut.

The difference is that knees are allowed to body and head — but there was no difference in the destination of the gold medal as Regis picked up his second of the tournament with victory in the final against Aaron Town from Scotland, who he beat at Kelham Hall last month in a European title fight.

His older brother Chad (15) saw off a Scottish opponent in the semi-final, and then outclassed Matt Lewis of England in the final, with a calm and mature performance against his older opponent.

Chad Sugden was also captain of the England team, and helped out by warming up most of the other England fighters.

“He was an absolute credit to the team,” said his father, the England coach.