Success for Sutherland while Whitwell lands weapons win

Two Stamford fighters have returned triumphant from the European Kickboxing Championships.

Andy Whitwell won the championship in the traditional weapons category – six foot staff - and also landed the silver medal in the ‘Chi Nar’ open hand and weapons category.

Jamie Sutherland took top spot in the heavyweight +85kg masters kickboxing and points fighting categories at the event which attracted hundreds of fighters from all over Great Britain and Europe.

Fighters competed in a range of different age, weight and skills categories, including weapons, kickboxing and karate-style points competitions.

Whitwell, who is senior instructor for the Peterborough and Stamford area, won the traditional weapons championship with his preferred weapon - the six foot wooden staff

He is an inductee in the Martial Arts Illustrated hall of fame and teaches regularly at clubs across north Cambridge and Lincolnshire.

Sutherland won the championship in the heavyweight (masters) division in both kickboxing and points-fighting.

Stamford resident Jamie has only recently returned to kickboxing training and competition after taking several years out to focus his training in judo with Cambridge University.

He defeated all of his opponents at Saturday’s event in Corby to win his two divisions, taking his final fight with a decisive head-kick.

Whitwell commented: “Kickboxing is a fantastic sport for all ages and abilities.

“The different styles of competition and discipline mean that there is something for everyone.

“I’m very proud of all the fighters who competed and we had some excellent results.”

Anyone interested in learning more about kickboxing should visit www.bcka-peterborough.co.uk" www.bcka-peterborough.co.uk