TWO talented brothers from Greenock hope to qualify for continental competition by winning medals at their biggest kickboxing competition so far.
Jonah and Noah Waddell are set to compete in the Everlast Scottish K1 Competition at the end of the month.
Jonah, 10 and Noah, nine, have stepped up their training at their dad Mark’s Colosseum Gym in the lead-up to the event.
Jonah who has been training for three years and competing for two will be competing in the 40kg category.
Noah, who has been training for two years and only started competing this year, will fight in the 32kg category and both boys are looking forward to the competition.
Noah said: “We are nervous but excited.
"We have competed before but this is our biggest competition so far and we are working really hard to get ready.”
Dad Mark is proud of the boys and working with them to ensure they are ready for the competition.
He said: “They both make me really proud.
"They put a lot of work into what they do.
“They are both so dedicated, they get up early to train and stay focused on their diets ahead of the competitions.
“They conduct themselves so well and still cheer on their competitors and each other at competitions.
"They can be fighting one minute and best friends with their opponent the next”
Mark is confident the boys will do well and believes they will rise to the challenge on the day.
He said: “On the day it will be a knockout system and we have been trying to mimic that in training by training for long periods of time with 15 minute breaks to ensure they are ready for what will be a tiring day.
“Both boys fight totally differently and we have been working to train in a way that suits their style.
"Jonah waits and watches to see what his opponent does before making a move.
"Noah on the other hand has a more aggressive approach.
"They just have to put their minds to it and turn up on the day and do their best."
If the boys perform well on the day they can qualify to compete for a European title and their family - including Noah’s twin brother Kody, friends, coaches and everyone at the gym - are right behind them.
Mark said: “Although they will be competing on their own they have a strong team behind them including boxing coach Robert McMaster.
“We would like to thank all the sponsors for their support including Jax Snax, ICON Gas and Robert Murdoch at RM Landscapes, as well as their boxing coach and their strength and conditioning coach Andy Armour.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here