Wirral schoolboy is national kickboxing champion (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral schoolboy is national kickboxing champion

3:19pm Monday 10th December 2012 in More sports news By Stephanie Cureton

A WIRRAL schoolboy has been named as a national champion for his kickboxing talents.

Tyler Stewart, from Birkenhead, scooped first place in the Under Eights category of the World Kickboxing Association’s English Championships which was held last weekend.

The seven-year-old, who trains at Phantom Elite Martial Arts Academy, beat off stiff competition from youngsters from across the country and was presented with his winner’s belt.

Tyler started the sport just two years ago and immediately discovered a hidden talent for it, committing to training six times a week.

And his dad, Russell, said he and his wife, Gina, were "very proud" of their little boy.

He said: "He had tried things like football and swimming and hadn’t really enjoyed them but wanted to try martial arts after watching the film The Karate Kid.

"I took him along to an open day at the kickboxing centre and he fell in love with it straight away and began entering competitions.

"But this is the first one he has won so we are all extremely proud."

Tyler now hopes to take his hobby further and continue to enter championships while his younger brother, Cody, five, is following in his footsteps.

Cody, who also attends Phantom Elite, is busy showing off his skills in competitions and joins his big brother training.

Russell added: "Cody is competing against kids two or three years older than him and is very advanced for his age.

"The boys come home and try to teach our two-year-old daughter, Ruby, all their moves so I don’t hold much hope for her taking up ballet when she’s older!"