Academy's thai-boxing event a success (From York Press)

Academy's thai-boxing event a success

10:56am Thursday 11th October 2012 in Sport

CHOKDEE Academy’s debut inter-club venture proved a walloping success.

Thai-boxing devotees from Leeds, Bradford, Rotherham, Sheffield, Goole, Selby, Pocklington, Market Weighton, Harrogate, Ripon, Manchester, Rochdale and Stafford attended the event at the Academy’s base at the Poppleton Business Park.

No fewer than 37 contests were staged on the day, ranging from junior bouts for six-year-olds and weighing in at 19 kilograms to massive heavy-duty contests featuring super-heavyweights.

Said Chokdee Academy founder and twice Thai-boxing world champion Richard Cadden: “With the growth and development of Chokdee over the past year we had an army of fighters out showing off their skills and it’s testament to the team-work we have that we are able to put on such an event.”

Among the Chokdee’s own combatants in action this past year since the Academy was opened are Cameron Harris (Clifton), Ivo Mikelsons and Adam Hoffman – both of Goole – Pocklington’s Danny Harrison-Little, who has been the club’s busiest fighter with four bouts, Florian Wojtowicz of Acomb, Leeman Road’s Peter Dixon, Charlie Sherlock (Heworth), Selby’s Janis Tomoskins, Graham Snow of Pateley Bridge, Acomb’s Mike Moss and Mikey Chadwick from Rufforth.

Added Cadden: “The majority of the guys were entering the competitive arena for the first time and it showed the massive growth and development that these guys have made over the past few months.

“They have all shown great technique and control, and demonstrated that they are ready to hold their own on the professional circuit.

“There is going to be an army of lads and lasses coming out of Chokdee in the coming year.”

Reflecting on a superb debut year, Cadden said the success would not have been achieved without the help of what he termed the “Chokdee family”, who took care of the organisation of the shop/reception/media/door work and corner work.

“All in all it’s been a resounding success, and I would like to extend a massive thank you to all the gyms, coaches, fighters and supporters who made all of this possible.”