As some as you may know Genesis students have just returned competing at the World Pan Amateur Kickboxing Association (WPKA) World Championships which ran from the 29th May to the 2nd June.
In 2012 we “Genesis Martial Arts kickboxing Instructors Matt Jackson and Trevor John” set a goal for a handful of their students to attend a kickboxing World Championship based on their successes competing at National level. Fortunately at the beginning of the year the opportunity arose which allowed 5 team members to attend the WPKA World Championships in Athens. Having worked their way up the ranks on the national circuit the team consisted of Archie Thompson (14), Armid Akram (21), Kieran Johnson (15), Louise Burkett (16) and Veteran Instructor Trevor John.
Archie Thompson was the youngest competitor in his category at 14 but was still able to win in the boys 15 to 17 year old categories under 55kg in light contact and is now the WPKA Wold Champion. Archie added a bronze medal in points fighting to go with his gold.

Kieran Johnson finished outside the medals in his points fighting section but fought his heart out to win a bronze in the boys 15-17 under 60kgs light contact section to win his first medal at World level.

Louise Birkett also celebrated victory in the girls 15-17 over 65kg semi contact section, and a silver medal in the ladies plus 65kg in light contact section. Her victory was slightly overshadowed as WPKA legislation only recognises section winners as World Champions where there is a minimum of 4 different Nationalities in a category. Unfortunately there were just 2 and 3 females in her sections respectively but this marks her biggest win to date and she was still very happy.

Armid Akram competed in the men’s under 65kg semi contact and won a well deserved bronze medal with just 3 years experience.

At the other end of the spectrum Instructor Trevor John fought in his first World Championships in 1993. He proved that age really doesn’t matter by winning a gold medal and his first World Championship title in the veterans heavy weight semi contact division and a bronze in the men’s light contact division.

Instructor Matt Jackson who accompanied the team would like to thank Instron, Jamie Jones and everyone at Genesis Martial Arts for sponsoring the team and a special thanks to parents Steve Birkett and Stewart Thompson who also attended and helped with chaperoning.

Written by Matt Jackson