THIRD time lucky is the motivation for York kickboxer Mark Long.

He is off to Turkey this weekend to compete for the supreme title in the World Association of Kick-Boxing Organisations world championships – and he is determined to strike gold after coming agonisingly close in his two previous attempts.

The attempt at conquering the world will also be the last for Long, who, at 31 years of age, believes he is reaching the end of a competitive career spanning almost two decades.

Long’s previous attempts at WAKO world glory were first in Slovenia, where his advance to the summit was halted by an ankle injury sustained in one of his bouts.

Then, it was a far more bizarre end to his second campaign in Vienna ten years ago.

His route to the pinnacle – WAKO is regarded as the ultimate championships in the kickboxing fraternity – was halted by the cruel theft of vital equipment including gloves and pads… even his gum-guard.

“That took the biscuit. I could not believe someone would even steal my gum-shield,” sighed Long, whose elder brother Craig runs Craig Long’s Black Belt Academy in Acomb.

To aid his tilt at triumph in Turkey, the younger Long has been training hard for the past three months, including gruelling sessions with his brother.

He has also been training with Tony Dias, a three-time masters world champion who runs his United Martial Arts gym in Norton, and with GB WAKO coach Paul Lynch.

And as an extra boost, Long has bagged vital sponsorship for his Turkish adventure from York’s Marriott Hotel.

Said Long, a winner of no fewer than ten British crowns and a force on the domestic kickboxing circuit for a decade: “I have been training exceptionally hard for what will be my last attempt at a world title.

“I’ve had a lot of support and I am determined to give it my very best shot.”