O'Grady part of England kickboxing team tthat wins the world championships (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

O'Grady part of England kickboxing team tthat wins the world championships

AFTER 16 long years of total dedication to the demanding sport of kickboxing, Jason O'Grady is rightly proud to be part of the England team that won the WPKA World Championships.

In the event, held in Corfu earlier this month, British grand champion O'Grady, 29, did well to fight his way through to the quarter-finals of the 80kg light continuous in the individual part of the competition.

Although beaten at this stage by Oleg Krisnikov, from Russia, O'Grady was then selected to fight in the five-man discipline.

After England had defeated Italy, Croatia and Russia - when Jason overcame Oleg Krisnikov to atone up for his earlier loss - the team then had to face Wales in the final.

After four close contests, it stood at two wins apiece, and so the final result fell heavily on the shoulders of O'Grady who needed a win to ensure an overall victory for England.

Spurred on a vocal 76-strong England contingent, he fought with even more determination to overwhelm his opponent 7-0 for the team to become the World Champions of 2004.

"It was a thrilling experience and I'm absolutely ecstatic to be part of the team that has won the world championship," Jason told the Standard this week.

Now virtually a full-time coach, Cirencester-born Jason, who now lives in Swindon, is happy to help anyone wishing to take a closer look at kickboxing and can be contacted on 01793 829675 or 07793 321197.