Sarah Nettleton - Kickboxing Interview
Sara Nettleton (age13) has been kickboxing since the age of 4 and is now an International Champion Kickboxer and also a Junior Kickboxing Instructor.
She trains with Sensai Brian Fernie at BMMA Edinburgh/Livingston @bmmaedinburghlivingston.
She teaches the Little Soldiers group who are aged 4-7
International & National Kickboxer (Brown Belt)
Junior Instructor
Member of the WKA; WKC; ISKA & WUMA Scottish National Squads
Member of Clan Combat Elite Fight Team
Selected to Represent Scotland at the:
ICO World Championships – Scotland October 2019
ISKA World Championships – Ireland October 2019
WKC World Championships – America November 2019
WKC World Championships – Spain August 2020
WUMA World Championships – Greece November 2020
Achievements for 2019:
WKA International Champion 2019 (& Bronze Medalist)
WKN British Championships Silver Medalist 2019
WKL Scottish Champion Belt 2019
WKC Open Champion 2019 (& Silver Medalist 2019)
WKC Scottish Championships Silver & Bronze Medalist
SACMA Champion 2019 (& Silver Medalist)
WAKO Scottish Championships Silver Medalist 2019
ISKA Scottish Championship Silver Medalist 2019
IASKA Scottish Championships Silver & Bronze Medalist 2019
WUMA Scottish Champion 2018 & Silver Medalist
Instagram:
@saz_shadow_kickboxer
My name is Sara and I started Kickboxing when I was just 4 years old. I have always been very active and enjoyed doing many sports activities but as a 4 year old who was exploding with masses of energy my Mum thought it would be good for me to focus some of this energy and also learn some self defense and martial arts techniques. Here is where my story began. Having an older sister (Alys), who was a natural at kickboxing I was dragged along to classes with Sensei Brian at BMMA Edinburgh to see what I thought of it. In the beginning it was all about having fun as well as learning some basic fitness, kicks, punches, blocks and discipline.
I took my first grading (for yellow belt) age 5, and passed. I went to classes 2-3 times a week and soon made lots of new friends. I enjoyed learning and started to get better. I was “ok” but I wasn’t brilliant. My first Competition was age 6, where I competed in the Little Soldier section at an Open Competition – Sword and shield points fighting – I didn’t do very well, but it was great fun. I continued for years doing the next grading and then the next, working my way through the various programs with BMMA (Little Soldiers, Cadets, Advanced Cadets).
Age 7, I decided I didn’t want to get up early Saturdays anymore and so I quit. That wasn’t my best choice, but it gave me some time off. Age 9 I asked to come back and really I haven’t looked back since. It took me many years to get to start medaling at competition, but my coaches always encouraged me to keep going, and knew I always did the best I could at the time. I was disappointed when I was trying so hard but not winning anything, but I didn’t realize then that all of the experiences were helping me get 1 step closer. What it made me learn is that it will be your time when it is your time – just keep working hard and believe and dream big.
Having started to be noticed in the competition circuit the last few years have really now been My time. Once the wins started coming my confidence and drive came too and I am just getting better and better. I believe that you have to dream BIG, and when you do, you achieve Big. I have achieved more in the last year than I have any other time. I have competed at masses of competitions, from local ones, Opens, Nationals, `internationals and World Championships. I now hold multiple Champion titles at National Level, and 1 International with different federations, and I represent my Country within 4 National Squads, and my goal is to add a World Title to that.
I have had so much fun over the years and have made some forever friends, not only within my Club and National Teams, but within the World Wide Kickboxing Community. I love the Fitness aspect. I have never been fitter which is important as competition demands the best fitness. I am able to apply what I have learned in all parts of my life, at home and at school, with friends and with strangers. I have just completed training as a Junior Instructor and enjoy helping to teach the age 4-7 year olds weekly at my club. Kickboxing is Great. It teaches you so much - Discipline, Respect, Dedication, Hard Work, Inclusion, Teamwork, Commitment, Humility and many more, but most of all it teaches you to be part of something, and believe. My Dreams are big, and you know what – I am achieving them 1 step at a time.
Try Kickboxing – You will love it!
International Combat Organisation World Championships take place this month in Scotland between 18-21st October.
See info@icokickboxing.org for information or info@icoscotland.co.uk for tickets
