The 2023 WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations) Canada National Championships in Niagara Falls, Ont., wrapped up on April 2.

Stanley Boxing and Fitness had a team on the ground and did very well. So well, in fact, that there are now two new national champions among its ranks.

Liam Kincaid and Zain Alhomosh are back, sporting brand new championship belts after winning their respective divisions. Kincaid, 13, was the winner of the 95 lb. kick light category, while Alhomosh scored the title in the 139 lb. kick light division.

Coach John Stanley said having two new national champions in the gym was a bonus from the trip south.

SA国际影视传媒淲e went into it with absolutely no expectations,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t was the biggest national championship ever SA国际影视传媒� over 400 competitors SA国际影视传媒� and we were going in with an inexperienced team. Our goal for everyone was to have fun and learn from the experience.SA国际影视传媒�

Both fighters won two matches to claim their titles. Kincaid won both of his bouts by unanimous decision on points, while Alhomosh was victorious in his first by technical knockout with the second one being a gut-check, said Stanley.

SA国际影视传媒淗e was up against a fighter with 20 years experience,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淗e showed a lot of heart and desire to come back after a tough opening and gutted it out. LiamSA国际影视传媒檚 strength is heSA国际影视传媒檚 a great counter-puncher. HeSA国际影视传媒檒l wait for guys to make their move and catch them off-guard. His timing was great and he took instruction well all weekend.SA国际影视传媒�

Kick light differs from full contact in that techniques must be well controlled when they land on legal targets. Equal emphasis must be placed on both punching and kicking techniques. Kick light was created as an intermediate stage between light contact and low kick kickboxing disciplines. The head, torso, legs and feet are considered legal targets.

Alhomosh was in line for a second title in the low kick division, but he had to settle for a bronze medal. Shan Patino was also a bronze medalist, while Gobi Rajkumar won two bronze medals in the kick light and low kick categories.

SA国际影视传媒淚f Zain fought his first low kick bout like he did the way he fought in the third round (of that match), he wouldSA国际影视传媒檝e won the whole thing,SA国际影视传媒� said Stanley.

Kincaid is the youngest national champion to ever come out of StanleySA国际影视传媒檚 home base; he started in the gymSA国际影视传媒檚 youth program three years ago. But he wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 the youngest competitor to make the trip SA国际影视传媒� that honour goes to Zach Thomson, who took to the mats at the grand age of seven.

Getting to Ontario for nationals was a chore in itself. The club hosted a kickboxing event back in February which was to act as a fundraiser to help get the team to Niagara Falls. Problem was everything the club made went into paying the bills for that event and there was nothing to show for it. The club launched a GoFundMe to help raise some money with sponsors also kicking in some money.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur sponsors were very generous in getting us over the line,SA国际影视传媒� said Stanley. SA国际影视传媒淭he gym helped as well and Canadian North gave us a very nice discount. That was very helpful.SA国际影视传媒�