T-UK Stratford’s Demi and Sky Barnett where chosen to compete in Bristol at a Unique Continuous Kickboxing Showcase - Skill Striker III.
The event is a platform for the UK & Europe’s best Kickboxing and Taekwon-Do athletes to battle for the supremacy on a neutral playing field under rules that provide more reward for higher risk technique which in turn guarantees a spectacular spectator showcase.
Skill Striker III is the first of these events hosted by Bristol based EPIC Martial Arts that T-UK have competed in and it didn’t disappoint in atmosphere or quality and athletes. Only the best fighters in their age and weight in Kickboxing and Taekwon-Do are faced against each other on a one on one basis which is battled out on a raised stage setting with a light show and music to introduce the fighters onto the stage to compete in front large viewing crowed.
T-UK President, Master John Archer, arranged to bring in of the UK’s best Taekwon-Do Coaches and a Former World Champion, Master Johann De Silva from London to coach Demi and Sky for this spectacular event.
First to compete for T-UK was Demi , who has recently returned from winning Gold at the World Championships to take on Team GB Squad member who had recently returned from the WAKO European Championships in Hungary. The two squared off to battle it out over two rounds of high intense hard hitting and spectacular kicking techniques pitting their experience against each other, and after the first round there was nothing in it. Up for the second round and after some superb exchanges the bell came, and both fighters had a nervous wait standing in the centre of the area waiting to see those hand would be raised, after the score cards where checked, Demi came up short by just one point, a tough decision for Demi, but a great performance as ever just missing out this time.
Next up for T-UK would see 10-year-old Sky who had recently returned after winning Gold at the Taekwon-Do World Championships, take on another Team GB Kickboxer Squad member who had also recently returned from competing at the WAKO European Championships in Hungary. This was EPIC’s Marital Arts superstar and unbeaten Skill Striker fighter, and an experienced International fighter - one of the best 10-year-old Kickboxers in the UK.
Both young superstars would battle it out over two rounds, and during the first round both fighters left nothing back, with each fighter showing there years of experience against each other. Second round started like the first with not much in it, and with 1 second to go, Sky pulled of a devastating high sidekick to catch her opponent flush in the face to cause the fighter hit the floor. After the bell the two fighters were brought to the centre awaiting the judge’s discussion and then, Sky’s arm was raised the winner to be crowned Skill Striker III Champion.
A huge achievement for the girls, T-UK Stratford and T-UK !
A big thanks to Master Johann De Silva for his time and Mr Barnett for this article.
Picture: Left to Right – Demi Barnett, Master Johann De Silva, Sky Barnett.
