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Family's mission to help son compete for England

Sharon Gill Theo wearing a Team GB top, in a fighting stance, smiling at the cameraSharon Gill
Theo's mum has started a Go Fund Me page to pay for his competition which his coach said can be "expensive" to enter

The family of a rising star in the kickboxing world are raising funds to pay for him to represent England in the youth championships later this year.

Theo, 11, from Bristol, started the sport six years ago and since then his overall confidence has grown.

Horfield-based coach and seven times world champion kickboxer, Sharon Gill, said the cost of competitions can put people off, as its mainly "self-funded and very expensive".

His mum Kelly is hoping to raise £3,000 to pay for him to compete in the European championships this September.

He has already won two national championships and now hopes to bring a title from for his country this autumn.

"It really makes me feel so good about myself," Theo told BBC Radio Bristol.

"The first time I went to a lesson I was too nervous, but the second time...I loved it so much.

"I love that I can just go to kickboxing and not worry about anything."

Sharon Gill Theo with his mum (left) and dad (right) he is wearing medals around his neck. All three are smiling at the cameraSharon Gill
His mum Kelly said it is a challenge raising enough money so he can compete

"It's given him so much more confidence," Kelly said.

"He's so brave, it's a big thing to go out and compete and go onto the mats and have everybody watching you."

Sharon Gill Theo wearing lots of medals around his neck and holding two trophies, one in each hand. He is smiling at the cameraSharon Gill
Theo said kickboxing makes him forget about his worries

Ms Gill said the the standard of the European championships Theo will compete in is "very high".

"For many people [competing] it's all self-funded and very expensive," she said.

"It is the hardest thing. [People] sometimes can't go because of how much it costs."

Sharon Gill Sharon (left) with Theo (right). Both are wearing dark clothes and smiling at the camera. Theo is holding a trophy in one hand.Sharon Gill
Sharon said it is amazing to see the people she trains follow in her footsteps

Ms Gill added how "amazing" it is to see the people she coaches follow in her footsteps and go on to excel at the sport.

Theo hopes to compete in the WAKO European Youth Championships for Team GB in Italy in September.

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