Melton's Muay Thai Assassin juniors boss intercontinental championships

A squad of seven junior Muay Thai Assassins, led by instructors Ian Griffiths and Thai Barlow, joined 380 competitors at the WTKA Inter-continental Championships.

Seven-year-old Mhaylin-Jai Kneeland - at 22kg, the lightest of the squad – made his championship debut against a tough opponent from Manchester.

Assassins chief instructor Mark Barlow said: “We put MJ in for experience because he trains hard and picks things up quickly.

“He lost in the first bout, but the referee told me he fought well and gained valuable experience.”

Mustafa Agwan (8) was also involved in his first championships in the -26kg class and grew throughout the tournament and reached the final where he faced a Dutch boy.

Mustafa saved his best for last to pick up a memorable maiden title.

Billy Hammond (11), fighting in the -30kg division, reached the final, but couldn’t replicate his best form against an opponent he had beaten before, and lost the bout on points.

First of the Assassins girls in action, Aliza Agwan (11), also made her championship debut and stormed to the final.

There she showcased her talent to win the final and take home the belt.

Championship specialist Elizabeth Griffiths (12) again saved her best performances for the big occasion to reach the -38kg final and collect another title.

Saxon Nugent (13) destroyed his opponent in the -32kg final to pick up the award for best Assassin performance of the tournament.

With no-one else in is division, 15-year-old George Griffiths had to go up a weight to -56kg, but cruised to the title to confirm the Assassins’ status as the UK’s top junior team.

* For more information on junior training, visit the Assassins Muay Thai Facebook page.