Highfield Middle School pupil Owen Richardson (12), (pictured), heads to Benidorm on Monday looking to better his bronze of last year in the Unified World Championships.
And he goes with a gold medal firmly in his sights in the 45kg category as he has won all three ring fights this year. A member of Aiki Kickboxing, in Crawcrook, Owen’s displays since finishing third in the under 37kg competition in Italy last November have been impressive.
Owen’s mother Melanie said: “He has come on leaps and bounds and has had to fight really hard to keep his weight at 45kg.
”He is getting more muscly and at the minute it’s hard to keep his weight down, but I don‘t know anyone who works harder than Owen.
“The six weeks holiday was hard as all the children meet up, but he just stuck at his training and I‘m so proud of him. I’m just so chuffed he has stuck at it and is doing so well, and he is so confident going into the World Championships.”
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