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One of the newest and biggest success stories was the making of a champion and a new World Gold medallist! Eliza Skill a 15 year old Dinnington Comprehensive school girl has been training for several years now and last year she decided that she really wanted to go for it.
Eliza had recently made a change from Freestyle Karate to Light Continuous Kickboxing.
Realising what she had let herself in for Eliza rose to the challenge, she had to step her training up and even trained at school in her dinner breaks!
Eliza was placed in the final with a tough opponent from Ireland, the host country and had it all to go for! Eliza’s hand speed and footwork, the trade mark of a true Falcon were too much for the Irish opponent. Elizas accuracy of punches to the face made her opponent cover too much which left her open in other areas for attack. Eliza continued the pressure throughout the rounds and received a unanimous win decision.
Eliza was at one stage a subject of bullying and this new sport has enabled her to not only make new friends but also gain the confidence to raise above people who tried to put her down. She is now adamant to carry on her martial arts career even if she is successful with her army career application.
Eliza Skill, World Gold Medallist
Full of confidence and ready to start her military career.
Breaking News! Congratulations, Eliza is accepted into the Army
as of September. Wel Done!
Leif Taggart is a success story in not just the fact in what he
as achieved within Martial Arts but also in what he has overcome
in life with the help of Martial Arts.
Leif was a troublesome child from a very early age and at first no
one could understand why. At 3 Leif suffered a suspected minor
stroke and at 7 meningitis. But even without the medical problems
Leif still was not quite right. He would never settle and teachers even
within his nursery class found it hard to handle him. It was even felt
that mainstream school may not be the right place for Leif but
eventually after many visits to different doctors Leif was finally
diagnosed with ADHD and put on Ritalin.
At one of his many visits to the doctors a slight suggestion was made that maybe getting Leif into a disciplined sport may help. With that suggestion in mind Leif started on his road to a great Martial Arts career aged 6. Later on we were told Leif also had mild tourettes and compulsive obsessive disorder, these often come along with ADHD and became another reason for Leif to stand out. Other children didn't understand and Leif often lost his confidence in mixing because of this.
Within a few years of starting Martial Arts it started to be noticed that an effect was being had on Leif's whole attitude and self esteem, his confidence grew immensely and we gradually got him of all medication. Leif problems have not gone away but he has learnt to live with them and cope with other peoples attitudes who do not understand. It has even been felt that the ADHD has helped Leif within Martial Arts with the extra energy he has.
Leif has just left school after completing all his education within mainstream, much to a few peoples surprise and at his leavers assembly Leif was presented with a gold award as a role model within school, he is hoping to go on and do Sports Therapy and I have a strong belief he will succeed.
Leif presently holds 28 titles within Martial Arts, not to bad for the child who had no confidence, and no self esteem .
Martial Arts was the best thing to happen for our son and we fully support MAAB. Lets hope it is a success and helps change another childs life for the better.
Monday the 9th July 2007 sees the support from Master Rick Dobson of New Zealand.
This is a great boost for MAAB and its members and supporters knowing the word has travelled so far and also that the problem is seen elswhere in the World and that people are all in support of trying to minimize bullying.
Master Daniel Issac of India has welcomed MAAB's work and is happy to head the cause in India!
The more International support we get the stronger our case will be in Great Britain too!
Although MAAB does not promote individuals or groups within the UK we believe showing who the International support is coming off is very important! (Members as of 10th July 2007)
America become the third International supporters of MAAB within 3 days!
Mr Bruce Smith has an extensive anti bullying programme he teaches within all his own schools.
Canada come in at no 4 in the international support! Georgia at No 5.
Two students of a Burnley club, Abi and Becks are more than happy to support the cause against bullying. Their jump for joy is directly emulating the MAAB logo if you study it in full. Thats excatly what we were thinking of when we designed it!!
Don't they look happy in martial arts! ;-)
Kerry-Louise wins WAKO Pro World title and becomes the face of MAAB
Kerry-Louise won the WAKO World Kickboxing title on 31st august 2008 and was invited to become the face of MAAB.
Kerry-Louise is used to doing much charity work and working with children. She herself was bullied and these are the type of credentials MAAB try to help others achieve.
Kerry-Louise has offered her services completely free of carge and has stated: "If theres anything I can do to help others I would be so pleased.
Martial arts helped me to gain confidence and to walk away from bullies with my head held high. I dedicated my life to martial arts and now it gives back to me in so many ways so I want to now share this with all whether that be child or adult"
"Thank you MAAB I am honoured to be chosen! " Kerry-Louise :-)
