Seven junior members of the Great Yarmouth-based 3 Lions kickboxing team were part of the 15-member junior England squad that travelled to Edinburgh last week for the 2010 World Junior Kickboxing Championships. Four of the 3 Lions won England’s only gold medals.

The event was attended by teams from the USA, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Kosovo, France, Greece, Lebanon, Brazil, Iran, Malaysia, India, Ghana, Estonia, Spain, Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the home nations England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.

For the Yarmouth kickboxers, record-breaking Jade Munro (13), who is sponsored by Norfolk County Council’s Sports Aid, went one better than last year, winning the gold medal in the -50 kilos (12-14 year old female) full contact category by second round tko in the final.

National champion Ben Mitchell (13) was in explosive form, blitzing his way to the final and winning the gold medal in the -45kilos (12-14 year old male) full contact category.

Relative newcomer to the sport Jack Docherty (16) surprised everyone by beating two of the favourites in his category, in the semi-finals and the final, taking the gold medal in the -60 kilos (15-17 year old male) full contact category by split decision.

Undefeated British number one Kelsea Carroll (13) won the gold medal in the -40 kilo (12-14 year old females) light contact category with an amazing display of boxing skills that had the Canadian national coach voting her as the most skilful fighter of the tournament.

Last year’s silver medallist Dan Dawson (16) had to again settle for the silver in the -60kilo (15-17 year old male) full contact category this year. He was ahead on points but a clear low blow in the final was adjudged by the referee to merit an eight count in the third round, which swung the bout the other way in the scoring.

Dan can be very proud of his performances in both the semi-final and the final.

Carlos Regini-Moran (11) reached the finals of the -30 kilos (9-11 year olds male) full contact category but was out-gunned by the far more experienced Scottish champion Calum McGregor and had to settle for the silver medal.

Conor Judge (15) reached the semi-finals of the -55 kilos (15-17 year old male) full contact category (not his natural weight class) and put up a fight with last year’s heavier and older silver medallist. Conor lost the bout but ended up with a well-deserved bronze medal.

In the full-contact categories Scotland topped the medal table with eight golds, followed by the USA with five and Canada and England with four each.

Proud club coaches Frank Crosswell, Dave Munro, Glen Moran and John Hutchens (boxing) thanked everyone who helped raise the money for the team to go, and Norfolk County Council ‘Sports Aid’ (Jade’s sponsor), Labbs Solutions (Carlos’ sponsor) and Munro Fitness Training (Kelsea’s sponsor) for their support.