Father and son head to kickboxing championships

A father and son are among a team of nine kickboxers who will compete in an international competition in Spain.

Wayne Bird, 52, and his son Luke, 20, will join fighters of Powers Martial Arts in Sheffield when they head to the ISKA World Championships in Madrid in November.

Due to the amateur nature of the competition the team need to raise about £14,000 to pay for their trip.

Gym owner Paul Powers said: "It's hard work, it's not easy, especially trying to raise funding and keeping the lads fit, ready to go."

The Stannington-based club opened 16 years ago and is home to six world kickboxing champions.

"We've been there and done it, and we're still passionate about what we do, and getting these guys to Madrid," said Powers.

The fighters took part in trials that were assessed by a national team of officials and now face the challenge of raising enough funds to compete.

Powers said: "We've been lucky enough over the years, we've always come back with some medals.

"Last year we did well, we got two gold, two silver, and I think three bronze just from this little gym, which I'm proud about because we are a small family-run business."

The club has 400 members with about 30 who take part in competitions.

Powers said Wayne and Luke were a "rare" combination as two generations of the same family competing together.

He said Wayne came out of retirement to take part in the competition and predicts "he'll bring a medal back home".

"It's even more special because really he should be sat at home with his feet up watching TV," he said.

"His son is definitely a future champion."

It is Luke's first international competition after winning a fight in December by unanimous decision.

He said: "I'm looking forward to getting some fights under my belt, getting the experience and everything."

"I used to be quite small, so I used to get bullied off the ball at football.

"So my dad brought me here to toughen me up and then I've loved it ever since."

With 30 years of experience, Wayne has helped train his son alongside Powers.

"Leading up to my last fight I was training with my dad doing pads and everything," Luke said.

"He knows everything, so obviously he can pass that knowledge down to me."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North