There are three new local world champions thanks to a successful weekend for Alexandria Kickboxing Academy.
Nine-year-old Maia Bisley, James Young, 16, and coach Stewart Smillie all picked up gold as part of a Team Scotland at the recent ICO World Championships.
Along with Lochlan Peddie-Temple, they took home an impressive 13 medals from the event earlier this month.
And coach Stewart, who even bagged himself a gold is still on a high.
He said: “We did have high expectations going into the weekend but I’m really pleased with how we did.”
Maia from Dumbarton bagged three golds, one silver and two bronzes continuing her successful year. The youngster has already collated an impressive number of medals throughout 2019 and Stewart has high hopes for her going forward.
The 25-year-old told us: “It’s hard to find her a challenge nowadays. She has done so well. She is already world champion from the last time I spoke to you.
“She was outstanding. It’s unreal and she’s only nine. She just loves the sport. It’s fun for her.
“I don’t think she realises how high a standard she is at. I don’t think she realises she’s the best in the world.
“She was 15 points clear and the fight was stopped because there was no coming back from that by her opponent.”
James Young from Alexandria also impressed
at the worlds when he was named world champion across two weight categories and also collected silver as part of the Team Scotland event.
And Lochlan Peddie-Temple, 17, from Helensburgh did well at his first world championships achieveing one silver and one bronze medal.
Stewart, who has dropped a stone to achieve his weight category, took home a gold and a silver saying: “I have got to show them that I know what I’m talking about.”
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