58-year-old Gary is world kickboxing champ

GARY Wilkinson is on top of the world.

He has just become the World Kickboxing Council's mature champion, at 58.

And he intends to carry on practicing the sport.

Gary, of Basford, fought off competition from two Irish fighters to win the category. Anyone over 42 was able to enter and Gary was the oldest taking part.

"I was absolutely delighted to win," he said.

"There were fighters from different countries in the competition so to come out on top made me very happy.

"It felt good when I stood on the podium and watched the Union Jack lifted to the National Anthem."

Gary got a bye into the semi-finals of the competition. He beat Irish fighters at the semi and the final, both in a couple of two-minute rounds.

There were two other fighters in the competition, one from Wales and one Canada. The next oldest fighter was 45.

"It is a challenge and can be tiring," said Gary. "I took a few kicks and punches but I managed to land more in both fights."

Gary took up kickboxing when he was 50 for an extra way of keeping fit.

He trains with Midlands1 Kickboxing Club and teaches classes at Henry Mellish Sports Centre in Bulwell.

"It is a terrific sport and a great way of keeping fit," he said.

"That's one of the main reasons I got involved with kickboxing.

Gary practises regularly and came second in the British national qualifiers in May, which got him into the World championship team.

"I went out to Dublin and wasn't sure how I would do but all the extra training I put in during the build up really paid off.

"I have always been reasonably competitive at different sports and hope to be so again in the future."

Gary just manages to balance his time with work at Power Transmission Engineering in Nottingham with his training and teaching.

"It can be tough fitting it in but they have been very understanding and supportive at work, as have my family," he said.

"This has helped a great deal with achieving my aims.

"I really enjoy being able to take part in such a sport and keep fit.

"That's why I got into it in the first place.

"I would definitely encourage anyone who is interested in doing something like this to go ahead and do it."