Kickboxer soon back to top form after lengthy lay-off (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Kickboxer soon back to top form after lengthy lay-off

TWO members of Cirencester WUMA Kickboxing Club picked up trophies in the first round of the WUMA 2005 English Open series held in Worcestershire on the last Sunday in February.

Club instructor Tim Saxton, making an eager return to the tournament circuit after taking a year out, was keen to get back into the action.

It didn't take him long to settle into his first fight which finished in the last few seconds with a well-timed head- kick which seemed to take his opponent by surprise.

And after several more hard-fought battles, Saxon took first place in the 90kg advanced men's division and also scrape a second place trophy from the open-weight division after losing in the final to a much younger and quicker fighter.

Pleased with his comeback, Saxon could then concentrate on one of his students, Chris Smith, who was competing in the 75kg semi-contact and the light continuous sections.

Smith, who has been making steady progress over the past few years, also had club instructor Terry Saxon on hand for sound advice.

Smith's first clash of the day was against a flamboyant fighter from Milton Keynes.

Despite the jumping kicks and show-off cartwheels from his opponent, Smith picked him off with simple and effective hand techniques.

The scores were neck and neck as the fight progressed but, unluckily for Smith, the acrobatics finally paid off for the Milton Keynes combatant in the last few seconds as he edged into the lead and took the win.

There was no time for disappointment as Smith was called straight up to fight in his next section - the light continuous.

Smith fought well, using a consistent barrage of hand and feet combinations, and was pleased to walk away with a trophy for third place.

More students from the club will be treading the mats later in the year, and anyone interested in joining will be warmly welcomed.

For more information, go to the club's new website at www.cirenkickboxing.co.uk or contact Tim on 07796 175468.

Enrolments will be taking place throughout March for men and women of all ages when the first lesson will be a free one.