A TEAM of martial art stars have returned home from the World Kickboxing Championships with a haul of medals.

Four competitors from Ryton-based Aiki Martial Arts and Fitness scooped 11 medals between at the World Kickboxing Organisation (WKO) Open World Championships.

Their medal haul saw the team of Caylan Holliday, Callum Mavin, Sarah Stevenson, and Cameron Wright finish 14th overall against more than 65 teams from across the globe. Among their achievements, Caylan (11) won four gold medals, after excelling in K1 kickboxing A class and B class, full contact kickboxing, and sport jiu jitsu, in the 11-12 years age group.

His proud father Ross Holliday, who is the club’s coach, said: “Caylan was on top of his game and he did extremely well to win all four of his categories.”

Callum (15) won a silver medal in boxing, after putting in a competitive performance against his Polish opponent for the world title.

There were two silver medals and a bronze for Cameron, who is also aged 15. His silvers came in low kick, and light continuous kickboxing, while he achieved bronze in full contact kickboxing.

Sarah Stevenson was another brave competitor, and came away with a boxing silver medal, as well as competing in kickboxing events.

Ross said: “This is the biggest haul we’ve had at the World Championships.

“We finished 14th with a team of just four people, and everyone from the competitors themselves to people within the club have put in so much. To compete on the world stage is so demanding, it is difficult to appreciate unless you are there.

“We are extremely proud of what has been achieved.”