The JAZZ™ Apple Foundation is continuing to throw its support around all different types of sports and most recently gave an award to Lions Muay Thai & Boxing Gym in Watford to help cover the costs of a new uppercut bag and banana kick bag.
The family run club was founded in 2010 and their ethos is to improve your physical ability, your approach to nutrition and develop a strong and positive mindset. As well as holding mixed classes for adults and children in fitness, the club is also embarking on offering an initiative to young people (14 – 16 years), generally from disadvantaged backgrounds, where they can study an academic syllabus alongside sports to enhance their lives inside and outside of Lions.
The club has seen many successes with their fighters, including just recently at the beginning of May 2018, two of their girls (under 13years) won bronze medals at the European Championships for K1 and one gold and one silver at the World Championships for Muay Thai.
Watford girls Ellie Harber, aged 12, and Emilia Azarova, aged 10, attended the European Kickboxing Championships for Tatami Sports and the World Kickboxing Championships for Ring Sports competing in K1 style and Muay Thai respectively, from the 3rd to 5th May 2018.
The under thirteens represented England at the ISKA (International Sports Kickboxing Association), challenging themselves against participants from all over the world and competing first in the European Matt Sports, K1 style, both Ellie and Emilia qualified for the Semi Finals on the penultimate day of the event, both competing against Ukrainian opponents and receiving Bronze medals.
The final day saw both girls qualify for the World Championship finals, again meeting Ukrainians in their final bouts. Ellie dominated her opponent for 2 of the 3 rounds and was crowned ISKA World Muay Thai Champion at her first World Championships. Emilia fought to a very close decision taking the Silver Medal in her first international competition.
We can’t wait to see how the award will help the club and to see the many stars to come out of the gym in the future. Keep an eye on our social media pages and website for more information on the club and if you’d like to apply for a JAZZ™ Apple Foundation then visit the JAZZ™ Apple Foundation website.
