A TILBURY gym is celebrating after a number of its young kickboxers came away from the WKU International Championships with medals.

Five Thurrock-based fighters from SXF Gym travelled to Birmingham to compete against opponents from across Europe, with Joe Shelton and Lilie Copperthwaite coming away with two titles each, with Henry Tibble also named champion.

Joe, 15, picked up gold and was crowned champion in the under-17 category (62kg) as well as the under 65kg category, winning by TKO in the first and second round of the respective fights.

Lilie, just 11, was also named double champion after victories in under-13 events -42kg and -45kg, winning by TKO in the first round on both occasions, as well as picking up a bronze medal later in the day.

Nine-year-old Henry won a gold medal in the under-10s -35kg category to become the youngest SXF winner on the day.

Billy Shelton, 11, took silver in the 13 years and under below 40KG event, while Alfie Copperthwaite, the least experienced of the gym’s fighters, took on a tough multiple champion and took a bronze in the under-15s -53KG category.

Carl Hannahway, 15, and Alfie Aldwinckle, 11, also performed well at the competition.

And SXF coaches Lisa and Bill Shelton said they were extremely proud of the team’s efforts.

“We are immensely proud of these kids,” said Lisa. “All are under 16-years-old and are mixed in experience as fighters but all stepped up to the plate and faced the battles ahead of them with true warrior spirit.

“They have all made sacrifices to attend regular training five days a week and pushed themselves to their limits to prepare for their bouts. They never slack and always give 100 per cent.

“We strongly believe all of the kids at the gym have strong futures in the sport.”