Kickboxing is a form of martial art that combines boxing with some elements of karate. It originated in Japan in the 1960’s when a Japanese boxer, Osamu Noguchi, came across Muay Thai. After studying the martial art, he began to merge it with elements of boxing and karate and thus kickboxing was created.

Flanders cup is a kickboxing competition where people of all ages can compete to win on an international scale. Each kickboxer represents his/her country as they fight. The competition itself is usually held in Belgium, Beveren and, this year, went on from the 29th of September to the 30th.

Poppy Giles, a fourteen-year-old girl from Epsom has won in her age category. After fighting against her opponents - Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, she was crowned world champion – for the 6th time! Miss Giles states that after “a month of hard work and preparation” she was proud of the outcome.

Miss Giles has now been kickboxing for three years, after following in her sisters footsteps, and claims that she feels as though it has “boosted her self confidence massively.” She urges people of all ages to take up the sport and experience it for themselves.