Stephen places Barrhead on martial arts map by securing world title

Stephen flew 3,500 miles to Calgary, in western Canada, earlier this month to win prime prize within the under-16 class of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai Youth Championships.

Stephen celebrates his success on the WBC Muay Thai Youth World Championships

Muay Thai is a type of boxing that’s significantly in style in Thailand.

Barrhead Excessive pupil Stephen defeated his Mexican opponent within the last on the Winsport Area on August 14, having already recorded victory over the Canadian primary and native favorite on his strategy to the gold medal showdown.

The win was simply reward for all the onerous work he has put in over the previous few years.

As soon as classes at college are over for the day, Stephen travels 60 miles to a Blended Martial Arts health club in Bathgate, West Lothian, returning late at evening.

Members of Barrhead Group Muay Thai Boxing Membership with George Mann

He additionally goes there to coach on Sundays.

And it’s that spectacular stage of dedication and work ethic which offers hope he can grow to be knowledgeable fighter and go on to compete within the UFC (Final Preventing Championship) – the world’s largest organisation for martial arts.

Stephen, who has 5 brothers and one sister, can be ‘conserving it within the household,’ as his 19-year-old sibling Sean has two combined martial arts titles.

Their proud mum Lynne, 38, advised the Barrhead Information: “Stephen is at the moment Scotland primary in his under-16 age group in Jujitsu. He additionally does wrestling.

“Day-after-day after faculty, he travels to the Increased Stage MMA health club, in Bathgate, which may contain two trains and a bus.

Early success has Stephen dreaming of a profession within the Final Preventing Championship

“Stephen has waited so lengthy for this success and labored so onerous. He’s actually devoted and has little time for a social life however he’s starting to see the rewards for his onerous work.”

Whereas he was off faculty throughout the summer season holidays, Stephen even slept in a single day on the Bathgate health club so he may do morning and afternoon periods every day.

Regardless of the heavy programme, he has not ignored his research and catches up on his homework whereas travelling to and from the West Lothian city.

Stephen, who doesn’t flip 16 till November, plans to take a seat his Highers subsequent 12 months, having already handed his Nationwide 5 exams.

He flew from Glasgow to Toronto on August 10 after which on to Calgary after a 16-hour wait to participate within the World Youth Championships.

His mum additionally paid tribute to members of the native enterprise neighborhood who’ve supported Stephen financially over the previous two years.

They embrace Victorious Tattoos, Reilly Reinforcements Ltd, clothes agency No Fairly Metropolis, CP Roofing Options, Saltire Carpeting, Maple Joiners, Derek Nicoll, Railway Cottage Nursery, The Bankhouse (Paisley) and Le Dance Studio.

Lynne added: “The local people have been superb and have actually pulled collectively to assist.

“Our household are all from Barrhead and Stephen is proud to symbolize his house city.

“Stephen wouldn’t be at this stage right now with out their help. Nonetheless, he’s at all times on the lookout for contemporary sponsors.”

Anybody who want to sponsor Stephen ought to get in contact through social media at www.fb.com/sean.clancy.520.

In the meantime, Barrhead welcomed one other Muay Thai world champion as George Mann returned to his roots to place native fighters by way of their paces.

George took outing from his busy schedule to stage a expertise class at his former coaching venue, the Barrhead Foundry, throughout a visit house from Australia.

It was an opportunity for him to ‘pay it again’ to Vinnie McWilliams, who leads the Barrhead Group Muay Thai Boxing Membership.

George (left) caught up with Vinnie McWilliams on the Barrhead Foundry

George mentioned: “Vinnie had an enormous half in my improvement as a fighter.

“Due to him, I used to be capable of step as much as battle and win the Scottish title, British title and European title.

“Flash ahead a few years later, I used to be in a position to return to show, prepare and chat together with his new crew in the identical place I discovered.

“Always remember people who assist you to get the place you’re right now.”

Vinnie mentioned it was a pleasure to welcome George house to Barrhead.

He added: “The entire college students have been excited to coach with George due to what he has achieved and you may see they have been a bit starstruck.

“It was a improbable expertise for all concerned to have the ability to get a fighter of George’s stage to return down and share his data with a neighborhood membership.”

Kirsty MacIntosh, of East Renfrewshire Tradition and Leisure, which hosts the Barrhead Group Muay Thai Boxing Membership, mentioned: “It was a pleasure to welcome George alongside to the Barrhead Foundry.

“It’s nice to see sportspeople coming again to their roots after doing so effectively on the world stage.”

Membership members meet on the Barrhead Foundry from 8pm till 9.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 6pm till 7pm on Fridays.

Anybody who’s taken with becoming a member of is welcome to go alongside at these occasions.

For extra info, go to www.fb.com/bcmtbc.