Kickboxers strike gold in Auckland

The long trip to Beachlands, in East Auckland, paid off for a group of six novice and intermediate kickboxers from Nelson’s NZ-SMA gym.

They brought home nine gold and six silver medals from the first round of the Eagle DS Combat sports series.

“It was a huge result from a massive day. There were 176 fights with 80 would-be competitors turned away,” says SMA coach Sallie McArdle.

The rangy Otis McPherson led the way with four gold medals and Bhakti Rutledge claimed two.

While their results weren’t unexpected, 15-year-old Tiger Lily Bosch made a real impression on debut.

“She was losing in the first round of her opening match but she listened, did exactly what she was told to do and then absolutely dominated. She was fantastic,” declares Sallie.

Due to a lack of opponents, Tiger Lily had to fight against more experienced rivals in a higher weight class.

“It was hard. I took some good punches to the head and was kicked into a wall. It wasn’t fun but I want more fights,” says the Nelson College for Girls student, who loves sparring with male fighters at the gym.

She started out boxing but switched to mixed martial arts a year ago and hasn’t looked back.

“I have improved my fitness, learnt new skills and can defend myself,” enthuses the under-55 kilogram fighter, who came home with gold and silver medals.

“She is definitely a fighter to look out for,” predicts Sallie. Also impressing in his first tatami competition was 17-year-old Mikey Ching, who claimed gold and silver as well.

“I had been over to Thailand, to see family, and did a week of Muay Thai kickboxing and when I came back my mate Otis was already doing kickboxing here,” explains Mikey, who competed in the U65 division.

Mikey and Otis, who went to Nelson College, have also reunited to study sport and recreation at NMIT.

“Mikey had a bit of a shakey start but got better and better as the competition went on,” comments Sallie.

“The training style at the SMA gym is quite superior and the people here are so dedicated to get better,” maintains Mikey, who is already fundraising to go to a tournament in Sydney in October.

31-year-old Jesse Bowden also won gold in the tough U69 grade while Emma Cussick took on heavier and more experienced rivals in the 65+ division and came away with two silvers.

Sallie is confident of more success in the second round of the Combat series next month.