Xander joins the elite

A Forres schoolboy came out fighting after taking part in a competition in Elgin, contested by martial arts students from all over Scotland.
It might have been first time in the ring for 11-year-old Alexander Kinlin, a P7 pupil at Andersons Primary, but he wasn’t about to let his nerves show.
The youngster was taking part in an event organised by the Kaizen fitness Club at the Eight Acres Hotel in Elgin, and after winning all three of his kick-boxing rounds, each lasting one and a half minutes, he was up against Adam Kennedy from Forfar for a title fight.
The pair were contesting the World Kickboxing Association’s (WKA) Scotland 45kg belt, in the only title fight on offer that night, with the Forres youngster taking the belt.
“It was a great night for fighters from Kaizen Martial Arts,” said instructor, Diane Stuart, “We were in 15 bouts and won 13 of them.”
She said it was also first time in the ring for Kaizen youngster, Summer McCallion (9) from Elgin, who also won her fight.
“Alexander’s achievement is great,” she said.  “He wasn’t that confident to start with, but we could see straight away he had the ability.”

She said that careful planning under instructor Kayleigh Robinson had help develop the youngster’s confidence and resulted in the great performance.
“Once his confidence improved, he was ready to try new things,” she said, “He has also been working with our newest instructor, David Firth, who helped him develop more as a fighter and try more challenging drills.”  She said that Alexander is now fighting at a much higher standard and has been selected for the elite team, as well as qualifying to go to the World Championships in Spain in November.
“His parents are very proud of him as so is everybody at Kaizen,” said Diane.  “He was an under confident, nervous boy, but he has really come into his own.”