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Jack Griffiths - British Championships

Hi there my name is Jack Griffiths and I am nine years old and live in Bolsover. I compete in the sport of freestyle kickboxing and musical forms.

I have been competing for approximately 18 months now and training for two years. I train six days a week at the British Martial Arts Academy in Sheffield as my local club no longer has fighters or instructors at the level I require to continue my progress.

On the 18th of February this year I attended the British Championships held at the Harvey Hadden sports Centre in Nottingham. Before such events I always get really nervous and can't sleep the night before. I am not worried about getting hurt as we all have to wear protective clothing but this competition is of such a level that I will be up against competitors sometimes three or four years older than me and who are black belts.

I am only a blue belt and will not be a black belt for another two years. My dad tells me not to worry as it's sport and supposed to be fun, when it's no longer fun it's time to find a new sport.

So with that in mind as all three fighters in my category line up on the mat I soon realise this is a big category as there are 34 fighters.

I go into my first fight and yes you've guessed it I am up against a black belt. I move forward and land a head kick which scores two points and the opponent is on the back foot within no time at all I have scored ten points clear and the fight is over.

Now the first fight is over I am more relaxed and win my next fight seven points to three.

My 3rd fight (the semi final) is against the current world champion and I know it will be a tough one. We both start off steadily working each other out he scores a point then I score a point. The first round is level pegging and the second round begins in a flurry with my opponent scoring three points I manage to get one point back but it's all over.

My opponent Scott Rankin goes on to win the final ten points to nil and I receive the bronze which I am really happy with.

I then move on to musical forms this is an event where martial artists do katas and tricks to music. I am in the under 12 category, I have just been invited to be part of the club's world renowned display team(TEAM EVOLUTION) so I am very nervous as I want to give a good account of myself infront of my team mates as I am the youngest in the team by three years.

I land a standing back somersault and a flash kick which is a back somersault with a kick in it. The crowd go wild and I am rewarded with a silver medal.

My parents were so proud that at such a young age I had managed a silver missing out on gold by .1 of a point. My coach tells me he expects me to win both this event and the European Championships next year so I think I have got a hard year ahead of me.

My form is available to view on youtube by typing in Jack Griffiths. Next time I will give you an update on my first international competition, bye for now.