BARNSLEY’S professional kickboxers Gasan Gindra and Blaine Wilson are keenly anticipating the sixth annual ‘Kings of Combat' show tomorrow.
Up to 80 competitors are scheduled to fight at the Metrodome, including 60 from clubs across the north.
Organiser Mick Crossland, of The Combat Academy in Barugh Green, said there will be an afternoon of junior bouts and a stacked evening card featuring some of the England’s top kickboxers meeting teams from overseas including Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
Gindra headlines the event alongside the undefeated Blaine Wilson, from Shafton, and reigning ISKA European champion Mareks Pelcis.
Now 21, the former Horizon Community College pupil achieved a karate black belt aged 12.
“I’ve been a professional kickboxer for two years but appearing on the Barnsley show is the highlight of my year as I work closely with Mick, who’s been my coach and mentor for 11 years,” he said.
“We’ve travelled all over the world together and as I’ve faced tough challenges throughout my fight career Mick’s been a father figure, supporting and guiding me both in the ring and in life.
“I was a highly energetic child who struggled to concentrate and martial arts gave me a positive outlook.
“I compete as a professional K1 kickboxer which is an increasingly popular hybrid style of stand-up fighting incorporating kicks and knees to legs body and head and is practised by some of the strongest, most exciting fighters.”
Mick added: “At 19, Gasan was a three-time world amateur kickboxing champion and regarded as number one amateur fighter in Britain with growing clamour for him to join the paid ranks.
“Blaine is also a former three-time world amateur champion who started out aged 11 and won all 44 amateur kickboxing bouts.
“We’re excited to see him make his professional kickboxing debut on our show – he’ll immediately be in deep waters fighting an excellent French kickboxer.
