Five-star showing from young guns
Ethan Noton, six; Joe Axcell, nine; Josh Fawn, 13; Cameron Brandon, eight; and 12-year-old James Brewitt were the quintet who travelled to the Lincolnshire town and came away with trophies.
Noton battled his way to second place in the light continuous pee wee category with an impressive display of guts and determination.
He delivered roundhouse kicks and fast straight punches, but lost out to the winner by majority decision.
He also finished fourth in the pee wee semi-contact category.
Axcell battled it out with seven fighters in the boys' semi-contact category and finished seventh.
Fast sidekicks followed by an impressive blitz technique left his opponents stepping back every time – but he just missed out on first position by a couple of points.
Josh Fawn was involved in a thilling scrap in the boys under-5ft 4inch semi-contact category. At the end of a very close bout his opponent threw himself for one last move with seconds to go and clinched the winner's trophy by one point.
Cameron Brandon finished third in the light continuous section after battling well against two experienced fighters.
He got stuck in with fast punches and kicks, which his opponent delivered in return, and the pair fought valiantly for the full three rounds.
Last to fight was 12-year-old Brewitt, making his debut appearance – after six months' training – in the light continuous section against two brown belt students.
Brewitt put in a gutsy performance but withdrew in the second round after receiving a kick to the chin – his coach taking into account that it was his first time.
His effort was rewarded with a third-place trophy.
Coach John Tomlinson said: "All the kids fought very well and I'm pleased with all their performances.
"It's very hard as a child to be put into a situation with a crowd screaming and shouting.
"But they handled themselves extremely well under pressure and delivered some excellent techniques.
"It's back to the gym now to work on the things that need improving ahead of the British Championships in February."
Anyone wanting to join training at the Grimsby Freestyle Kickboxing Club can contact Tomlinson on 07961063321 or visit www.gfkc.co.uk
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