South Shields kickboxer is crowned national champion

Adam Jensen travelled to Rochester in Kent to take on Essex’s Matt Geere for the English IFK Light Welterweight Amateur Kickboxing title.

The 22-year-old took on his opponent over five rounds for the chance to get his hands on the prestigious title - winning with an unanimous decision.

He was supported on the 700-mile round journey by Kuei-Ling Senior Coach Steve East and fellow coaches and cornermen, Nathan McCarthy, Martin Stobbs and Garry Nelson.

Mr East said: “The journey was nearly a 700 mile round trip for Team Kuei-Ling. However, it was well worth it as an IKF title is a prestige title and well worth travelling for.

“Adam had trained really hard for the last two months for the fight and used his skills well in the bout, closing the gap on his taller opponent and not allowing him to use his reach and leg length.

“The outcome of the bout was a unanimous win for Adam and this was his first senior title - having won lots of junior awards including British and Commonwealth titles as a junior and a cadet.”

Adam, who has been kickboxing with the club, which is based in Maxwell Street, South Shields, since he was eight-years-old will now compete for the British light welterweight title on Saturday, April 21, in Scotland.

The club provides sessions from the age of four.

It also runs a women’s only class on Mondays at 7pm with world champion kickboxer Laura Burnett.

For details on class times and private classes visit Kuei-Ling Martial Arts on Facebook or call 07946 389945.