Two kickboxing kids from Inverness are gearing up to take on the world after being crowned British Champions.
Aidan Lennan, 11, and his eight-year-old brother Ciaran, from Raijin Martial Arts, were star performers at the WAKO Great British Championships in Nottingham.
After some tough competition, Aidan made his to two-year ambition a reality by winning the title of British Champion in the light contact division age 10 to 12 37kg category.
His sidekick Ciaran also defied the odds by winning the title for light contact in the seven to nine 30kg category.
The boys returned with a total of 10 medals between them, with Aidan winning two silvers and a bronze and Ciaran with three silvers.
Their mother Diane Lennan said: “We were surprised with Ciaran because he is so young. We didn’t expect him to be as good as he is and do what he does.
“Aidan trains all the time and it a hard one for him because there are other children his age and weight and they’re all down south and they are doing this training all the time with the big guys and the WAKO’s so its been quite hard for Aidan to compete with them.
“He has always medalled against them but he’s struggles to win because they are always there but this year he went in and beat them.
“We are absolutely delighted, seriously proud. It just shows training’s paying off. All his hard work and dedication is doing what it’s got to do.”
In a bid to continue their winning streak, the pair will now go on to compete in the world series at the WAKO Irish Open in Dublin this weekend, alongside more than 4,000 competitors from across the globe.
Mrs Lennan said the sport has given the boys a lot more than just their fighting spirit.
She added: “They have got team spirit, a desire to win, friendship, family. There is a lot more than just going out there, competing and winning.
“Even the kids who are fighting down south, they have all become friends. They fight on the mats fighting each other both wanting to win and then they come off the mats regardless of what the score is and hug and then they are away off playing.”
