Based in South Shields and Boldon, the club – which practises freestyle kickboxing – is gaining international recognition and proving that
South Tyneside is in fighting form.

And this was shown at the largest, full-contact kickboxing event in North East England, when eight of its fighters battled it out in the
ring.

The event, held earlier this month at Temple Park Leisure Centre, is now in its third year and is organised by Kuei Ling, trainer Steve East and Sunderland's Spartan Gym trainer Paul Grieves – who together form the Extreme Full Contact Partnership (EFC).

This year was the first time international kickboxers attended, with two competitors from Marseille, France.

Steve, who runs Kuei Ling Martial Arts with Geoff Banks, said: "South Tyneside is very football orientated but the fight night has shown the level that the fighters are at. They deserve to be recognised. It's a very exciting sport and it is not a minority sport any more. It shows a great deal of skill.

"I am proud of everyone who fought, even if they won or lost, it takes spirit and guts to get up into the ring. It's the preparation that people don't see. The fighters put their heart and soul into training.

"It is great that we had competitors from France, but we need to be more internationally recognised. We need a major sponsor, which I think will happen next year."

The club started in 1975 and was originally based at West Park Community Association but moved to their present sites at Mortimer CA in Reading Road, South Shields, and Boldon CA, on New Road, Boldon, in 1992.

Steve, who started teaching the club in 1985, took up the sport because of his interest in Bruce Lee.

He said: "I was always fascinated by Bruce Lee and it was the kung fu boom at the time.

"Everyone was into Bruce Lee films, and I, along with the droves, went to Brownsey Hall to practice kung fu.

"In the late 1980s I decided that I wanted to compete and test my skills, so I got together with Martin Stobbs, who was a great boxer, to form our freestyle technique – an eclectic mix of Western boxing, kung
fu and Korean styles."

The club's fighting techniques have since developed and although it is freestyle, rules still apply.

"The lads that fight in the ring are restricted by certain rules, such as having to complete a minimum of eight kicks per round. They can put people down but cannot fight on the ground.

"I remember fighting in social clubs when I was younger, it's come a long way since then.

He added: "The fight nights are a great way for kickboxers to test their skills and the sport is a great way of keeping kids off the streets."

On the night, Kuei Ling Martial Arts walked away with four wins, which included Jamie Moore beating French competitor David Micelli.

Due to the popularity of the event, which had a turnout of more than 900 people, Kuei Ling Martial Arts has been invited to Hull and Newick to compete.

Boldon club trainer Geoff Banks, who has practised martial arts for more than 30 years, said: "Nights like this show that the fighters from South Tyneside are good enough to fight opponents from around the world.

"It draws people from all over and gives the fighters the recognition they deserve. Kickboxing not only builds on people's confidence but it makes you more aware of how to handle yourself in certain situations.

You have to have mental and physical control at all times and must be able to control your aggression.

"The event has highlighted the popularity of the sport and next year, we hope that it will be attend by more people from outside the UK."