Gee Denne, Tyler Hughes and lain Carpenter travelled to Frankfurt along with 150 English competitors to challenge the rest of the world in the ICO First World Tournament.

In two full days of competition over 100 of England’s strongest fighters were there to battle it out against over 20+ countries. The strongest groups were France, Poland, Russia and of course ourselves.

First in for battle was Tyler Hughes getting through the first round by the skin of his teeth. In to the quarter finals matched against a sharp French guy who won the bout and went onto win the gold in the final. Tyler walks away with bronze medal.

Iain carpenter had a long hard day through the tournament. Ending up in the finals and battled hard for all 3 rounds. On his front foot pushing, forwards all the time. It was very hard to call who had won the bout as the other man had some good techniques. It ended in a split decision. Carpenter gutted but also happy to walk away with a ICO silver medal

Fellow fighter in the town, Luke Read travelled with HKA and the team had a fantastic day getting into the final, knocking out his man in the 2nd round in spectacular fashion. Crowning Read the ICO World Gold Champion.

England as a team came home with around 85% of the medals. Taking full domination of the weekend and winning over 70 medals. The Warriors Gym from Herne Bay that HKA work alongside with, came home with 14 medals from 14 fighters.

Instructor Carl Denne said. It was a proud weekend for me. Being part of such a strong and skilled team. This was the first time I’ve taken my own fighters into European waters to compete in such a big competition and to come away with a bronze and silver world champion is a massive achievement for the fighters and the club.

For the adults Jo Baldock who trains at JDKB gym added her second fight to her name, fighting a tough local girl, Jo done the best she could and although most of the on lookers thought Baldock had the win the judges went the other way.

Next up was Carrie Cooper. In her third fight this year. Stepped up to the mark with long arms and legs used her weapons to the best of her ability, earning her a strong win. Last up Aaron Buckley in his first ever kickboxing contest fought like a true champion from the start. Upsetting his fighter from the start. Catching him with some great punches and kick combos setting him up for a sweep leaving his man on the canvas continuing on the skill throughout 2 and 3rd round. Putting his man back on the canvas another 5 times.

Instructor Carl Denne said. “I’m very happy with the team this weekend. Although we had a hard day at the office everyone listened and done their best in the ring, learning a lot from the day. We can’t win all the time, this helps us stay leveled and keeps us on our toes. Many thanks to coaches Jennifer Denne. Ollie Hancock and Phil Eaton for there support throughout the day.

Promotor Colin Payne kindly donated £1 from every fighter on the day to our charity. Charity for kids

For more details on training with HKA and what they can offer you. Call carl on 07949 221946 or visit www.hastings-kickboxing.co.uk. With over 12 classes a week. From beginner to champion. HKA have a class that suits you.

Instructor Carl Denne says “I am so happy for many different reasons, firstly that Gee has been given this extra help which has made it possible for the chance for him to compete in October, also that William Parker Sports College has recognised the sport and Gee’s potential to win a world series. Kickboxing has never been recognised as a main sport within the school environment but now times are changing”.

This is a massive step forward not only for HKA but for the sports within William Parker Sports College who are proud to be the home of Hastings Kickboxing Academy, actively supporting and promoting the club.

HKA run a busy after school session for William Parker students every Thursday and are involved with the Excellence Cluster giving the opportunity to children who would normally miss out. HKA also work with The Grove School with a self defence course as well as running a 6 week female only self defence course for Amacus Horizons.

In the last year HKA has grown from strength to strength with 2 gyms and over 150 members running over 14 classes a week from the ages of 4 years old up to 64 plus. Classes range from Fitness sessions and non-contact kickboxing through to full contact British and European standard fighters.

37 of the UK stongest Kickboxers turned up for an extended 3 hour work out.

Denne who is now being kindly sponsored by William Parker Sports College, allowing him the opportunity to get to Germany and compete, HKA are still looking for a sponsor to help out Ian and tyler,

Instructor Carl. “This is my first time in taking some of my own fighters to International waters, having helped the England team in Rome’s championships in 2009, I felt that my best fighters would stand a good chance of coming back with some trophy’s, ‘I’m very proud in the 3 young boys, they turn up and give 100% every session and this is why they have been given the chance with the England squad this year, flying the flag high for not only England but for HKA as well.

We have now started in monthly training sessions with the squad, learning advanced skills specific to how to beat European fighters, also helping build the teams spirit, HKA’s team our now training with Warriors, squad training and monthly sparring at HKA. We’re always looking for sparring partners.

So if your intertested in helping the team, sponsorship or anything to do with Kickboxing and keeping fit then please don’t hesitate to call Carl today on 07949 221946.

Gee Denne 14, Tyler Hughes 16 and Iain Carpenter 

17 joined instructor Carl Denne in an intense training session for over 2 hours working on little tips and techniques that will help them against the Europeans later this year. Gee as always was on form and showed why he is going to be a future champion for the town. Tyler and Ian both only been with HKA for under 6 months showed great potential and impressed the England coaches.

Instructor Carl said “I don’t believe in pushing my fighters but when I see great opportunities for my students then I do what I can to help them achieve their dreams. Tyler and Ian haven’t been with me very long but they both show great enthusiasm for the sport and have fantastic skills and this is why I wanted to bring them along.”

The squad train every month together to help build on team moral helping each other learn new skills to give them the best chance of bringing home some championship belts.

Gee has now secured his sponsorship, a massive thank you to William Parker Sports College for becoming the main source to allowing him the chance to fight in Germany in October this year.

William Parker is home to HKA and there 17 classes a week. For more details Hastings kickboxing and how we can help you today or in Helping out with the ICO world tournament please don’t hesitate to contact Carl Denne on 07949 221946

For details contact us!

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Last weekend members of HKA travelled up to Passion night club in Kent to watch Gee Denne make his first appearance as a full contact fighter. Fighting a worthy opponent, Ryan also 14 years of age from a well known Scotish gym, The Rivals. In front of a crowd of over 600 people. Gee and Ryan put on a fantastic show of skill, technique and power which was later to be seen as one of the best bouts of the evening.

Gee was under close watch from instructor/brother Carl Denne who coached him throughout the fight. “I wanted to make sure that Gee didn’t rush in and make any mistakes, keeping him on his toes slowing his man down throughout the rounds so not to get caught by a lucky shot. Gee controlled the whole fight, he was quicker, stronger and had better control of the ring”. With every shot Gee threw Ryan couldn’t respond with anything that could effect him.

At the final bell all 3 judges scored Gee Denne the unanimous winner.

Gee is currently looking for sponsorship for the ICO world championships, to be held in Germany in October later this year, If anyone would like to help us bring back a possible world tittle back to Hastings please contact myself.

HKA run over 15 classes a week at William Parker Sports College, for more details please contact Carl on 07949 22 1946 to find out how they can help you for all fitness needs

The best way to practice skills and to improve on them is to use them in a sparring situation.

The benefits that your children will get through sparring are as below:

Fitness – control – self awareness – strength – self defence and most important of them all, it helps build their confidence all in a fun and controlled class.

All children will be wearing protective equipment which is mandatory at all times. My first priority is your children’s safety.

For more details on this class please feel free to contact me.

The top 3 from each category are selected by the head coaches of the WKA as they had earned the right to be part of the team. In the finals Gee had only 90 seconds to how show what he is capable of, so from the very start he went out and was in contol of the fight scoring a total of 8 clean head kicks.

Gee’s Brother/Instructor Carl Denne said “Gee being crowned WKA Southern Area Champion is a massive achievement for him at this age and I am looking forward to his progression into the next steps of the tournament.”

HKA are proud to have two dojos in action, training in over 15 classes a week for all ages at William Parker Sports College, and now a new area for fighter training at The Hive. Contact them now to find out how they can help you. Call Carl on 07949 22 1946

The facility is now used for private and hardcore sessions as well as fighter training and punishment.

Facilities include:

• 900 sq ft of fully matted training area
• 12 ft boxing ring
• Fully equipped weights machine
• Tread mill
• 2 Punch bags, floor to ceiling and speed ball
• Big Sound System
Extras coming soon…

• Sauna
• Hot-tub

The Hive is available to hire for extra training.
£3 a session
£10 an hour (for groups)
£20 a month / £10 a month to HKA fighters on monthly HKA memberships.