LEIF TAGGERT, a member of York's Chokdee Martial Arts Academy, has won the British K1 title.

Taggert beat champion Harry Hardwick in Middlesbrough and is now being tipped for a big future in the world of Thai boxing.

Club-mate Dan Owens took part in a Mixed Martial Arts fight at Leeds United's Elland Road stadium but lost via guillotine with just ten seconds of the final round remaining.

Meanwhile, Chokdee, which is run by former double world Thai boxing champion Richard Cadden and health and fitness professional Jo Cadden, recently held its sixth white collar boxing event at York's Barbican centre.

More than £8,000 was raised on the night as 44 fighters showed off their talent.

"It was a massive success and the atmosphere was fantastic," said Jo. "Those involved had eight weeks of free training then got to compete at the Barbican at the end. It was a great experience."

The club are staging a similar event at the Barbican on Saturday, August 28. Anyone can sign up by visiting the UWCB website www.uwcb.co.uk.

Chokdee have also staged a junior Thai boxing event for the first time in Harrogate.

Seven-year-old Laytham Hindy won his first fight with a points victory over an opponent from the Golden Team gym in Leeds.

Meanwhile, five years of hard work have come to fruition for seven students from Train Taekwondo Schools based in Stamford Bridge after they earned first degree black belts.

The students received their honours at a presentation event at Stamford Bridge Village Hall almost five years to the day since the club opened its doors.

The students - Harry Cook, Phoenix Taylor, Ash Lightfoot, Brad Lightfoot, Zac Lightfoot, John Smallwood-Thompson and Sarah Sharp, ranging in age from ten to 14 - travelled to Bristol where they were examined for their black belts by an eighth degree world master and a ninth degree grand master.

"All seven students have shown considerable determination and perseverance over the last five years of training," said their instructor Gavin Cook, a third degree black belt.

"The last six weeks were very tough on them all, with all students putting in a minimum of six hours training per week on the build-up to the exam. I'm extremely proud of them all. It's brilliant to see the students grow in confidence and ability."