Combat Magazine Nov Issue 2009

 

Kickboxing: Leif Taggart in European title victory

Oct 7 2009 by Adam Steel, Evening Gazette

 

MIDDLESBROUGH martial artist Leif Taggart added another honour to his impeccable kickboxing credentials with a gold medal at the WAKO European Championships in Croatia.

The 18-year-old returned to the ring for the first time in almost a year to win both of his fights without conceding a point to take the featherweight K-1 rules division in Pula.

Taggart defeated Lurii Strokov of the Ukraine 3-0 in his semi-final and lanky Russian Azamat Barcho by the same scoreline in the final.

The former Middlesbrough College student has won numerous titles at national, European and world level over the years but said his Croatian victory is the highlight.

“I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of medals but I consider this to be my best achievement,” he said.

“I trained extra hard and it was very rewarding to walk away with the gold medal.”

Taggart is now based in Sheffield under the tutelage of WAKO national head Cris Janson-Piers and runs his own Thai boxing classes on Monday nights in Dinnington.

He makes a swift return on October 11 in Doncaster against a five-time French national savate champion.

The fight will be the former Ormesby School pupil’s last at 57 kilograms before he moves up to lightweight.

Having trained at altitude in Lanzarote this year, Taggart is also set for another training stint abroad in Holland.

The Thorntree youngster is now a member of Falcon Fight Academy after being part of Scorpio Kickboxing and Teesside Thai closer to home.

 

Martial arts: World champ instructor

Falcon’s new instructor Leif Taggart

Published Date: 03 July 2009

By Guardian Sport

DINNINGTON'S Falcon Fight Academy has announced that it has signed World Champion Leif Taggart as part of the coaching set-up.

Leif, 18, is a fully qualified instructor in Thai Boxing, a Kru grade and a multi Junior World Champion and an Adult World Champion.

He will head the centre's new Black Falcon Thai class, which will be sponsored by safety equipment manufacturer KO Pro.

The class will be specifically designed to cater for younger students aged five to 16.

Gym owner Cris Janson-Piers said: "Special attention will be paid to all safety aspects, and Leif and his assistants are fully insured and qualified."

"The gym is fully equipped and features a ring, bags, speedballs, thai pads, focus mitts and much more."

"The classes are scheduled to start at the end of July."

Chief instructor Kerry-Louise Norbury added: "Leif will be a great addition to the team."

"I have known and trained with him over the last two years and he has valuable skills to pass on."

"He's a bright young instructor who will bring a fresh way of teaching to our members. Everyone is in for a real treat."

The academy already has six individual styles of martial arts which are taught from their Victoria Street training venue.

Anyone wanting to start in these classes are advised to enrol now by ringing Cris on 07973 748907.

Martial Arts: Champ Leif qualifies for teaching

Jun 2 2009 by Adam Steel, Evening Gazette

TEESSIDE Thai and kickboxing ace Leif Taggart is celebrating another martial arts milestone after passing his senior instructor exams.

The eight-time world champion is now a fully qualified Thai boxing coach having come through his Kru/red armband grading with flying colours in Birmingham.

The 18-year-old got 100% in his written test and excelled in sparring as he impressed three WKA adjudicators in his former hometown.

The Thorntree featherweight, who started martial arts when he was six, fancies opening his own gym one day but for now is concentrating on his ring career.

He has not boxed since November but is due to fight against an international opponent under K-1 rules on August 2.

“I’m very pleased to get my full instructor qualification,” he said.

“I’ve been waiting years to get it and now I’m 18 I can teach. It’s always been an ambition of mine and I like teaching, especially kids.

“Seeing them develop and knowing they could even be world champions one day is very satisfying.”

Taggart is now professionally managed by Cris Janson-Piers, head of the WAKO-Pro federation and trains regularly in Sheffield as well as in Middlesbrough with the Scorpio club.

The former Teesside Thai Boxing Club member is currently spending a week’s training camp in Lanzarote.

Taggart also received a recent Aim Higher award for his academic performance at Middlesbrough College, where he is completing a BTEC in Sports Performance.

He was inducted into the WUMA Hall of Fame in January and received the first WAKO Great Britain President’s award in December.

Sports blog: A week in the life of a champion

Kerry Louise Norbury, along with the world champions who are all trained by Cris Janson Piers

Published Date: 15 May 2009

By Kerry Louise Norbury

WORLD kickboxing champion Kerry Louise writes exclusively for the Dinnington Guardian, as she moves into a new fighting style.

Friday

Well it is the start of a massive three day training weekend. Leif, my training partner has arrived and we are waiting for the rest of the fighters. We went to the gym and trained with the black belts doing low kick sparring.

It had to be light as the guys who do grappling also with Glyn our other chief instructor are entering a mixed martial arts amateur event next week.

After the gym we went back home and had an early night ready for tomorrows "beast" of a session.

Saturday

We got up early as some of the fighters were coming on the train, and we got to the gym at 11.30am to meet the rest of the guys. This weekend was extra special as it was a big team training session where all the fighters from White Scorpion Fight Management and some specially invited people came to one place to train together (there were 14 world champions in the one room!).

The first session lasted two and a half hours and then we had a K1 officials refreshers course for the judges. Leif and I were in the ring showing techniques which scored and techniques that didn't or were illegal. Unfortunately, when you have people judging fighters (even though it was just a demo and we are training partners!) your competitive mind kicks in and you take things quite seriously, like we did. We basically did a six round K1 fight! But we were still friends after!

After the course the fighters came back and we had a fantastic photo of all the champions with all their belts, an awful lot of silverware!

We also conducted a sponsored event where the tots came in and sparred with World Champions of their choice and all proceeds went to the "Help the Heroes" fund for injured or maimed servicemen.

We then got back on with the training session and this one was a full on sparring session. It was great to fight with so much talent and test myself against them.
When the training finished at 7pm we all went to the Angel Inn at Blyth and had a lovely meal and just relaxed. (I had a chicken breast, peas and a glass of water!).

Sunday

When I woke up I had to make breakfast for six hungry fighters who stayed at our house last night as these came from, Ipswich, Newcastle, Birmingham, Teesside and Leicester.

We went to the gym ready for the third and final training session. We were all feeling battered and bruised from yesterday but we were raring to go! This was mostly a teaching lesson which Cris took and it was very useful as he pointed out some mistakes people were making and they got them corrected.

We then did two rounds of sparring in the ring to finish off the session which was captured on video for assessment and appraisal. Everyone was absolutely shattered by the end of it all!

I had two lessons to teach after that and as they are grading soon I had to teach well (even though I just wanted to lay down!) Cris took the fighters back the train station and we just chilled out at night time and I nursed my bruises.


Monday

Well this morning I couldn't move! I was tired and my legs are black from three days of intense K1 training!

I had the day off and went to the gym to teach my lessons and took park in the K1 lesson at 8.30. It wasn't my best session because I was so tired but I tried my best!


Tuesday

My regular training session in Sheffield was cancelled this week but it was a good job as I was still tired and aching quite a lot! We ran some errands and I had some paper work to do.

Wednesday

I am feeling a little better today and can move again! Cris wasn't too well with his eyes, so I took him to the doctors to get checked out.

He is ok after some magic potion the doctor gave him.

Open session was good we did four circuits of bag work, core work, foot work etc it was great.

Taught my kickboxing lesson and then took part in sparring class, I did three rounds with Ryan 'The Hammer' Hamer who is due to fight next week in Rome and is looking very sharp and powerful.

Thursday

Had a private lesson this morning and I was an "uki" for Martin Wheatley, a student who is fighting on Saturday, so I got kicked around for an hour.

Then I taught my tots class later on. I am trying to get them ready for grading (which is quite a task as they are mostly five years old!) They are getting there it just takes a little more time and patience that's all.

Took my other two classes and again it was grading work. Then I took part in senior kickboxing where we did resistance work and speed work to focus mitts which was great! I have packed and am ready for my week in Holland where I will be training with some of the best K1 fighters (it's going to be good but hard work!).

I am sure with my week away I will have a great blog for you next time although it may be a little later than usual.

I would like to point out that I write my blog from a champions point of view and the training which goes with it.

Not everyone has to train like a World Champion and training in all the styles of martial arts can be fun.

It will get you fit and improve your confidence and teach you self defence and discipline, so please do not get put off if any of the write ups seem as though the work is always a little strenuous. As a professional gymnasium we cater for all levels.

I will update you next week, thanks for looking in on me again.

Yours,

Kerry-Louise.

Sports blog: Kerry Louise dropping weight

Kerry training in Lanzarote 

Published Date: 27 April 2009

By Kerry Louise Norbury 

WORLD champion kickboxer Kerry Louise Norbury writes exclusively for the Dinnington Guardian. 

This week saw the start of my new eating plan in preparation for the June International Course out in Lanzarote which Cris and I teach.

We have people from all over the World join in, plus some of our own students go as it is also our International Black Belt grading centre.

Last year we had a Dutch Policewoman, a Finnish Parachute Instructor/Sky Diver and a Professional Powerlifter! So as you can imagine the standard is extremely high and I will be dropping a couple of kilos in bodyweight over the next few weeks and increasing my cardio work.

The Lanzarote week involves training at high altitude so I even try and acclimatise for the training let alone fighting. I am now training with a weighted body vest as most of you know and I have now have added training in a sauna suit so I can get used to my body operating whilst a higher temperatures.

Lanzarote is between 70-80 degrees at this time of year and it's a dry heat being on a Volcanic Island! It seems to me that we have a very dedicated set of athletes going this time whose fitness is excellent so I need to be one gear in front!

The fighters have been pushed heavily in the gym for the last few weeks as we now have Karen Dews fighting an Italian in Sheffield for a WAKO Pro European Kickboxing title which is in July at the Grosvenor Hotel and our very own Falcon Fight Academy club Instructor Ryan "The Hammer" Hamer fighting out in Rome at the end of May.

To add to this Leif and Wez, two other BFKKO fighters who Cris manages and my training partners look like they will be fighting abroad at the end of the year. Negotiations are on their way now.

Leif will be fighting within the K1 system whilst Wez, who is also a World Champion will be fighting in Full Contact.

Looks like Cris is still keeping me on tenter hooks as he will only allow me in that ring when he knows I am ready to start my new career path also in K1 like Leif.

We have arranged a charity fund raising event for "Help the heroes" take a look at www.helpforheroes.org.uk/index.html and see why it is such a great cause!

Some of the little children at our gym will be going 3 rounds with World Champion Kickboxers who will sign autographs and have their picture taken with them.

Shirley Creasey our "Super Gran" has offered the fighters out and has taken a sponsor form already. She says "They better get ready! I don't mind doing a round with three different champions!" Shirley is an ambassador to Falcon Fight Academy and has raised hundreds of pounds to help the children train and travel etc and also raises money for the Blue Bell wood Appeal.

Hey, its not very often it happens, but this weekend, Saturday we have no shows , competitions or gradings, so I am going to have a chill and watch some TV and play on my Wii console, yipeeee!

We are just arranging some after club activities for the members and their families, it's a great atmosphere, last month it was bowling, now we are on to a disco and also a paintballing day for the older students. Its not all just training at our gym, it's about having fun, meeting people and gaining confidence!

Why not give us a go?

www.falconfightacademy.moonfruit.com

Back at you next week.

Kez.

 

Sports blog: Kerry's first 10k

Published Date: 14 April 2009

By Kerry Louise Norbury

 

WORLD Champion kickboxer Kerry Louise Norbury writes exclusively for the Dinnington Guardian.

Leif, one of my training partners gained his red armband (black belt equivalent) last Sunday in Thai Boxing and he's down staying with us for two weeks in preparation for our next fights. Congratulations Leif, a Thai meal was his reward at the Royal Elephant at Dinnington which I highly recommend.

Did my first 10k run on Monday it killed me, but I was very pleased with myself. I am not a runner and with my extra short legs its hard work!

We went K1 training on Tuesday at SDF Sheffield with Shane and Joe and we worked on knees and clinch work.

Did a 5k run with Leif on Wednesday and my legs were still hurting from the last run.

We had a good session Wednesday in open session it was "Beat your partner day" (press ups, sit ups, squats, jabs, round kicks etc.) and if you lost you had to do 20 more!

Then it was sparring with some of the best fighters in the country (maybe the world!) Ryan Hamer, Chris Deakin, Leif Taggart, Paul Crofts, good session and good hard sparring.

On Thursday I helped Leif with his weight training, he is pretty new to it so he needs a helping hand and a motivator and that was me today. It was good as I was passing on skills I have learnt over the years being taught by Cris who is a qualified trainer. We have a gym, sauna and steam room at home so it's real convenient.

In the evening we had another good fitness pad work lesson and then a great lesson with the same guys as yesterday working on ring craft and movement.

Friday was an extra hard fitness day we did 12 double hill runs in Anston Stones in the morning with a 8kg weighted vest on and in between each run we worked on fast twitch fibres with a resistance band we did shadow boxing hard work to say the least!

We just beat the rain before the hills got too slippy. Some Easter holiday, hope you kids enjoyed your Easter Eggs on Sunday…I was training!

P.S Nice work Anston Parish guys, the "Stones" are looking magnificent with all the new planting and fences and styles etc, much safer for all.

We had one of the camp's amateurs fighting on Saturday near Leicester. Look for Steve on a new website which all the managed fighters are on from our training camp, its www.whitescorpion.moonfruit.com

We were invited out for Easter Sunday dinner to our God children's house, however got two hours of hard training in later that evening!

Happy Easter

Kez

 

Evening Gazette Feb 2009

THORNTREE teenager Leif Taggart was given the great honour of being inducted into the WUMA (World United Martial Arts) Hall of Fame last month at Cheltenham Racecouse.

This was a very prestige event and Leif, 17, was added into the Hall of Fame as Competitor of the Decade.

Leif has gained six Kickboxing World Titles and numerous European and National titles while competing under WUMA rules and events all over the country and has also attended WUMA World Championships in Germany, Malta and Greece.

Leif trains in kickboxing under Gary Jowers of Scorpio Kickboxing club in Middlesbrough

This was a fantastic achievement for someone of Leif's age.

Leif Taggart looks to kick on after medal success

Oct 29 2008 by Adam Steel, Evening Gazette

MIDDLESBROUGH fighter Leif Taggart is hoping he can take the world of K-1 kickboxing by storm after winning a silver medal in his latest World Championship outing.

The 17-year-old bantamweight lost a controversial decision to a Russian opponent in the WAKO World Championships final in Naples but became the first British fighter to win a world medal under WAKO K-1 rules.

The system devised in Japan requires continuous action and minimal clinching, a format the Thorntree teenager - who won an international rules world title last November - thinks will suit him best.

And he is looking forward to specialising in it after following the Italy success with a cut eye stoppage win over Lewis Fallon for the EFK British title in his farewell kickboxing bout.

“I’ve been kickboxing for six years and won 19 of my 23 bouts and about six world titles,” said the Middlesbrough College student.

“It was nice to finish with a title but I find K-1 more enjoyable and it suits me better because it’s about punching and low kicks and you can only have five seconds in clinches. I thought I beat the Russian lad but two of the judges went for him and the other one called it a draw.

“It was the first time I’ve fought under K-1 rules and it was one of the worst decisions I’ve ever had go against me. But it showed that I can compete under those rules and at that level.”

Taggart, who fights and coaches for Teesside Thai Boxing Club, has his next bout at the Power of Scotland event on November 29. 

By Graham Smyth

DINNINGTON fighter Kerry Louise Norbury was involved in a battle of the sexes in Sheffield on Sunday night, taking on a male world champion for three rounds of kickboxing action.

The Falcon Fight Academy instructor showed off her considerable skills in a demonstration bout at the Octagon against 17-year-old IKF featherweight world champion Leif Taggart, as her preparation for a world title fight in August continues.

Norbury will do battle with New Zealand female champion Georgie Tutaki for the World Association of Kickboxing full contact professional title at the Octagon on 31st August and her demo fight with Taggart was arranged by Falcon Fight Academy head coach Cris Janson Piers, who manages both fighters.

She told the Guardian that the demonstration was a useful experience in the countdown to the biggest fight of her life.

She said: "I enjoyed myself. I train with Leif once every three months or so and I just wanted to get a feel of the venue and how it feels to walk out in front of the crowd there."

A demonstration bout allows fighters to showcase their skills and test their reactions without incurring injury and Norbury was pleased with her performance in the ring on Sunday.

"I had to take the power down quite a bit but I felt sharp and I think it went ok," she added.

Already a six-time world champion, Norbury admits this will be the toughest battle of her fighting career and she is training accordingly.

"I've got to be the fittest I've ever been. I've got the skill, I just need the fitness now, I have to be able to go for 12 rounds for the first time so I'm training for about four and a half hours a day at the moment."

Norbury has begun working on her strategy for the title fight with her coach and despite possessing incredible punching power, she says she won't go looking for an early knockout.

She said: "We're still working through the gameplan but for the first four rounds I'll use a steady, thinking strategy and not give too much away and then for rounds five, six and seven begin to turn it on."

The third round of Norbury's demonstration bout with Taggart on Sunday night was fought under K1 rules, a style of kickboxing that allows knees and low kicks and she hopes to turn her attention to K1 if she is victorious in August.

"I've been training in K1 recently and just trying to get as much ammunition as I can for the world title fight, but if I win I'll hopefully go into K1 and try a new field."

Norbury's coach is delighted with the way her training is progressing.

Janson Piers told the Guardian: "Kerry's training has been very carefully planned for her upcoming world title fight."

"She took part in a demo bout at the venue she is to be fighting at on the 31st August and this gave her the opportunity to experience the venue and get a feel for everything."

"The bout was a superb show of skill and expertise."

"It allowed the Sheffield spectators to get a glimpse of what she is going to bring to the table in her title fight," he added.

Thai boxers make an explosive impact

Mar 12 2008 by Adam Steel, Evening Gazette

TEESSIDE Thai Boxing Club made an explosive impact in their first outing on the IKF amateur circuit at Darlington.

The Stockton club claimed a world title, two devastating stoppage wins and a draw as all four of their senior fighters who were matched went unbeaten.

Assistant instructor Leif Taggart had only attended the event to act as a cornerman - but had stepped in at the last minute to lift the IKF amateur featherweight world title.

The 16-year-old beat Hakan Yildiz by four round decision in a bout fought under Olympic rules, with scores visible on wall-mounted boards and two points awarded for kicks and knees and one point for a punch.

He trailed heading into the final round but came on strong to score the winning point in the final second as the Turk faded.

Welterweight Will Connelly was not hanging around on his debut, blitzing his opponent just 10 seconds into the first round.

And cruiserweight Jonathan McAskill also managed to get in on the early night act as he won one minute into the second round.

He could be fighting for an English title in his next bout in May.

Also fighting under full amateur Muay Thai rules, the club’s welterweight Patrick Holmes shared a hard-fought draw over five rounds.

The club’s latest success takes their honours tally to eight titles - including two world belts for Taggart - since opening in May

“We have gone from strength to strength and are already recognised on the British circuit as having good prospects for the future,” said the Teesside Thai coach David McRobb. “Hopefully in the next year the only way we can go is up.”

Teesside Thai are hosting a seminar with elbow specialist and former professional fighter Chanoy Pon Tawee on Sunday, March 23.

The Thai holds a win over Dutch legend Ramon Dekkers and now coaches at Jitti’s Gym in Bangkok.

“We are trying to go that extra mile to get top calibre people to come up and train us,” added McRobb.

 

Thai boxers set to kick on

Jan 8 2008 by Adam Steel, Evening Gazette

TEESSIDE Thai Boxing Club are planning to kick on in 2008 after rounding off a successful first eight months of action in style.

The Stockton-based gym finished last year with three junior titles and two silver medals at the Golden Belt British Championships in Liverpool.

Dale Mathie, Jack Cooper (both Under-13) and Leif Taggart (Under-17) won their divisions, ranging from light flyweight to bantamweight.

And fellow club members Jack Bezance (Under-13) and Lynden Watt (Under-17) chipped in with respective runner-up spots at flyweight and light heavyweight.

“We’ve now got two British champions, a world title holder, an AKA title and now three British Thai junior titles and two silver medals,” said club chief David McRobb.

“When we first started out we would have settled for anything.

“We’ve now got 90 members as well and it’s been a really good start for us considering we don’t celebrate our first anniversary until May.

“Hopefully it’s just the beginning.”

McRobb, 41, is planning to return to compete in Thailand - where he fought three weeks before opening his Albion Street gym - this year with a group of fighters.

“We’ll train at Jitti’s in Bangkok, where a lot of Western fighters go,” he said.

He is also thinking about promoting his own show.

In the mean time, five of the club’s seniors are having amateur bouts in Darlington on February 23.

Goldenbelt world champion Taggart has his first professional fight under limited rules the next day on Master Sken’s show in Manchester.

“We want to keep developing Thai boxing as a sport in the area over the next 12 months and give people opportunities to pursue it,” McRobb added.