Great Britain tops youth kickboxing world medal table in Jesolo

33 gold, 34 silver, 35 bronze — 102 medals.

Great Britain finished first in the medal standings at the WAKO Youth World Championships in Jesolo, Italy, collecting 33 gold, 34 silver and 35 bronze medals. The 102-medal campaign extended Kickboxing GB’s run at the top of the table to four consecutive European and World Youth Championships.

Held from 18 to 27 September, the championships brought together 76 nations across four age groups, from children aged seven to nine through to juniors aged 16 to 18. Competitors contested four tatami disciplines — point fighting, light contact, kick light and musical/creative forms — and three ring disciplines: full contact, low kick and K1.

Among the British gold medallists were 14-year-old twins Arran and Freya Drever of Wolfpack Scotland. Arran won the older cadet male −63 kg point fighting title; Freya won the older cadet female −65 kg point fighting title. These are the first twins to win world titles at the same event, according to the world governing body WAKO.

The results also marked two British firsts. Jake Cockayne of Team SAS Kickboxing, coached by Tony Anderton, won Great Britain’s first para kickboxing gold. Joseph Woods of Team Energise won the older junior male −71 kg low kick title, the country’s first gold in that discipline, according to Kickboxing GB.

Aria Wheatley received the best female athlete award after winning gold at −37 kg in point fighting, light contact and kick light. She was the only athlete to take gold in three disciplines at this World Championships. Wales’s Mark Watkins of WKO received the best ring coach award.

The people behind the medals: Aria Wheatley — three gold medals and best female athlete award. Jake Cockayne with coach Tony Anderton — Britain’s first para kickboxing gold. Joseph Woods with members of the British delegation — first British low kick gold. Mark Watkins — best ring coach award.

Media contacts: Sean Veira, Performance Director; Kevin Baldwin, Scotland and Media Director. Kickboxing GB: office@kickboxinggb.com.

Results: WAKO/Sportdata medal standings. Event programme: WAKO. Participation figure and individual achievements: Kickboxing GB.