Kickboxer from Halifax becomes junior world champion

Aaron Ewing, 17, from Mixenden, was a winner in the Amateur A-Class K1 category at the WKO World Championships at the Barnsley Metrodome over the weekend.

"On the first day, I had two bouts, and then I had two on the second day," Aaron said.

"As I progressed through to the final, it was more of a challenge.

"It was a good, hard fight in the final, it could have gone either way.

"The other kid thought he'd won, I thought I'd won but the judges gave it me."

Aaron beat Joe Walker, from the West Midlands, in the final on Sunday.

"It was a bit surreal really," he said. "Everyone was really happy, it was good.

"It was me, my dad and my coach there but when we got home, everyone else was there cheering for me."

Aaron started kickboxing when he was six and trains at the Trademark Martial Arts gym in Brighouse.

"I'm just going to keep on training and looking for more competitions to go to, maybe another big one like a worlds," he said.

Aaron has just finished his first year at LLS Sports College in Brighouse, studying for a B-TEC in Sports, and says becoming a professional kickboxer is something he would consider.

"It's definitely an option," he said, "I just love what I do.

"I would definitely consider becoming a pro.

"I like the fitness side, it's going to sound a bit strange but the nerves before a fight, just the whole thing."

Aaron's coach Lewis O'Gara said: "Aaron is the longest serving member at Trademark Martial Arts and has always been dedicated to the perfection of his craft from a very young age.

"He is the personification of what it means to be a great martial artist, inside and outside the gym.

"He is respectful, disciplined, resilient, humble and selfless as well as being an incredible athlete and student.

"Aaron shares his knowledge and skills with our junior members and has become a huge role model for many of them who aspire to accomplish what he has worked tirelessly to do.

"He is an absolute credit to himself, Trademark Martial Arts, his family and is a shining example young men everywhere should follow."