Accrington kickboxer, 11, crowned English champion (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington kickboxer, 11, crowned English champion

1:56pm Thursday 7th May 2009 in Hyndburn

WORKOUT: Daniel trains with his dad Billy at the Fit to Fight gym

AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy from East Lancashire has been named as England’s champion junior kickboxer – and invited to try for the British title.

Daniel Battrick, from Accrington, who has been fanatical about the sport since he was five, has finally seen his long hours of jobs" target= "_blank">training pay off following his victory at the English Junior Kickboxing final in Birmingham.

His success in the ring, which adds to his record of 25 wins in 26 fights, means he has now been invited to fight in the British Championship in December.

His father Billy, who owns the Fit to Fight kickboxing gym, Back Wellington Street, said his son would have been crowned champion earlier – if they’d had less difficulty finding opponents who wanted to fight him! Mr Battrick, who also teaches at the Accrington gym with his wife Tracy, said: “It’s all he’s ever wanted to do.

“He’s also been earmarked as a really promising footballer, but has given that up to focus solely on kickboxing.

“We’re constantly having to tell him to slow down, because he trains every night. I’ve never really wanted him to fight in the ring because I’m so nervous every time, but he thrives on it.”

Daniel, who lives in Willows Lane with his parents and sisters Haley, 12, Amy, eight, Keeley, seven, and eight-month-old Kelsey, won the national schoolboys’ title aged eight, and was awarded a silver medal in the British championships aged ten.

His father added: “Even before he goes to school he’s doing press-ups and sit-ups.

"He goes jogging twice a week and trains at the club four times a week. I keep saying: ‘Daniel, you have to rest mate’.”

The St Oswald’s Primary School pupil, who was named champion after beating Birmingham kickboxer Ben Riley on points, will be competing at an open championship at Accrington’s New Era Centre on June 28 . It is currently accepting entrants.

To find out more, contact Tracy or Billy on 01255 301897.