THE TRAVERS FOUNDATION SPONSORS YOUNGSTER FROM NORTHAMPTON
Tom Symons is a 15-year old kickboxer from Northampton who has just been crowned Men's British Champion at the WFMC British Championships and secured three British titles and two silver medals at the WAKO British Championships.
Tom receives funding from local charity The Travers Foundation who help with the costs of training and competitions. The Travers Foundation is a volunteer-run charity which helps 13 to 30 year olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts.
At the recent WFMC British Championships Tom entered in four categories, two for Points and Light Con, in both the -65kg and -70kg weight categories in his age group, 13-17 years.
He took gold in both Points categories so became British Champion in those; he took bronze in -65kg Light Con and then found he had no-one in his age range to compete against in the -70kg Light Con so he was asked if he'd compete in the Adults' category. Which he did, by his own admission with some trepidation, and he won, so he is now Men's British Champion at the age of just 15 - quite an achievement!
From here, he headed to the WAKO British Championships where he entered in two age categories, both the Older Cadets (13-15) and Juniors (16-18), a decision he took because he'll be moving up to the Junior category at the European Championships in August.
He entered the -69kg weight category for Points and Light Con, and the -74kg juniors division in Points as well. He had tough opposition in his Light Con fights, but took the gold and retained his British title in the Older Cadets age category, but was narrowly beaten and took silver in the Junior division.
In the Points fights, he won the -69kg for Older Cadets and gained his second WAKO British title for 2017. He then won silver in the -69kg Juniors after a particularly tough fight with his GB team mate Fin Wright. This was followed by the -74kg Junior division, where Tom battled his way to another gold, making that a third WAKO 2017 British title.
In summary, his weekend at the WAKO British Championships secured three British titles, two silver medals and hopefully secured his position on the WAKO GB squad.
From here Tom then headed to the Irish Open, held between 3rd and 5th March, and achieved a further three silver medals.
Terry Forsey, chairman of the Travers Foundation, said:
"Tom's had yet another magnificent year of competition success. He works and trains really hard, and we are delighted to be able to assist him to achieve his dreams of being a champion kickboxer. We are so proud of what he has achieved and wish him continued success."
For further information on the work of the Travers Foundation please visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk
Ends
Press information – Terry Forsey, The Travers Foundation – 01536 771440
The Travers Foundation - registered charity number 1154203
The Travers Foundation press releases are carefully crafted by Helen Bach.
If you need any assistance with press releases, blogs, brochures, website content please email Helen here .
Tom receives funding from local charity The Travers Foundation who help with the costs of training and competitions. The Travers Foundation is a volunteer-run charity which helps 13 to 30 year olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts.
At the recent WFMC British Championships Tom entered in four categories, two for Points and Light Con, in both the -65kg and -70kg weight categories in his age group, 13-17 years.
He took gold in both Points categories so became British Champion in those; he took bronze in -65kg Light Con and then found he had no-one in his age range to compete against in the -70kg Light Con so he was asked if he'd compete in the Adults' category. Which he did, by his own admission with some trepidation, and he won, so he is now Men's British Champion at the age of just 15 - quite an achievement!
From here, he headed to the WAKO British Championships where he entered in two age categories, both the Older Cadets (13-15) and Juniors (16-18), a decision he took because he'll be moving up to the Junior category at the European Championships in August.
He entered the -69kg weight category for Points and Light Con, and the -74kg juniors division in Points as well. He had tough opposition in his Light Con fights, but took the gold and retained his British title in the Older Cadets age category, but was narrowly beaten and took silver in the Junior division.
In the Points fights, he won the -69kg for Older Cadets and gained his second WAKO British title for 2017. He then won silver in the -69kg Juniors after a particularly tough fight with his GB team mate Fin Wright. This was followed by the -74kg Junior division, where Tom battled his way to another gold, making that a third WAKO 2017 British title.
In summary, his weekend at the WAKO British Championships secured three British titles, two silver medals and hopefully secured his position on the WAKO GB squad.
From here Tom then headed to the Irish Open, held between 3rd and 5th March, and achieved a further three silver medals.
Terry Forsey, chairman of the Travers Foundation, said:
"Tom's had yet another magnificent year of competition success. He works and trains really hard, and we are delighted to be able to assist him to achieve his dreams of being a champion kickboxer. We are so proud of what he has achieved and wish him continued success."
For further information on the work of the Travers Foundation please visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk
Ends
Press information – Terry Forsey, The Travers Foundation – 01536 771440
The Travers Foundation - registered charity number 1154203
The Travers Foundation press releases are carefully crafted by Helen Bach.
If you need any assistance with press releases, blogs, brochures, website content please email Helen here .