Pics supplied by K-Star Academy
Kingstanding K-Star Academy fighter Gene Smith recently won the ISKA British Campion belt, continuing his spectacular rise in the world of competitive Muay Thai.
The 16-year-old impressed the judges at the recent hometown fight, held on Sunday 19 November at North Solihull Leisure Centre, and is now preparing to face the best from across the globe at the world championships in Thailand next year.
Smith has found it increasingly difficult to find matches as his reputation has grown throughout the sport following a lightning run of form – earning him Midland, British, and World Muay Thai titles.
Then on Sunday 19 November, the Kingstanding trained fighter also became the ISKA British Champion – winning on points against Fin Mueller from Wales. The fight was matched prior to the event by the organisers.
The WBC World Mauy Thai Games are in February at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. However, Gene Smith’s next fight is a little closer to home when he will face Josh Duncan in Liverpool on 16 December.
Smith told: “I am delighted with another victory and another title. Everything I am doing is working towards the world championships in Thailand.
“I loved every minute of representing my country at the WBC World Championships in Venice in June and in Canada the year before at the World Muay Thai Games. But know I have to be 100 per cent dedicated to the sport for me to compete with the best in the world in Thailand.
“Being in Asia, where the sport originated, makes me even more excited to fight in Thailand.”
Gene’s coach is Steve Logan, who first set up the first K-Star in Kingstanding more than 30 years ago and is hoping to guide Smith to world glory.
He said: “Sunday was another brilliant performance by Gene. We know the entire division, junior and adult, fear him and this is brilliant for when he represents his country in Thailand next year.”
Gene’s father, Great Barr businessman Roland Smith, a former fighter himself, understands the work which goes behind his son’s rise to the top table of the global sport.
He added: “Gene has got the talent, the determination, and dedication to get to the top, but this sport costs money and his sponsors have helped him to focus more on just being the best he can.
“Gene has achieved so much already, from his title wins, to representing his country to being the youngest UK fighter to have ranking.
“However, he could not have done it without sponsors Jacksons Recovery, Green Power Plant Hire, Beeches Recovery, 24 7 Worldwide Exhibition Services, Level Group, Endangered Fightwear, Foxstar Clothing and Art Attack Design Associates with support from Luke1977.”
Mauy Thai doesn’t receive sports funding from outside sources, with sponsorship one of the only ways new and rising fighters can professionally compete.
For the Kingstanding K-Star Academy fighter Gene Smith, training and travel costs can easily climb into the thousands as he takes part in fierce competitions across the world competing to be the best.
Anyone interested in supporting Gene contact [email protected]
Follow Gene Smith on Instagram at www.instagram.com/gene_kstar
For more on K Star Academy visit www.k-starthaiboxing.com