A talented teenage kickboxer from Redcar is celebrating after recently becoming a double British Open Champion and winning her place on the national team to compete at the European Championships in Russia.

Mary Corbyn, 16, has been kickboxing since the age of seven and has gone from strength to strength since discovering the sport winning a long line of titles.

The most recent of these titles came at the beginning of February when Mary managed to pull off an incredible double win at the British Kickboxing Open which was held in Birmingham. After coming through tough fights and showing off some of her exceptional.

The ̨��swag Academy Redcar student trains at Impact College Martial Arts, and following her recent success she has now qualified to represent England at the Junior European Kickboxing Championships in Russia in October 2020.

Mary will enter the Championships in a positive mind-set after previously winning two golds at both the 2017 and 2019 Championships. In 2017 Mary represented England at the Championships in Birmingham and in 2019 she travelled to Glasgow, returning with two gold medals in the ‘Mats’ and ‘Ring’ categories at her weight class.

Mary said: “I am thrilled to be going back to the Europeans and being able to represent England. It is always a very proud moment for me.

“I was delighted with my wins at the British Open against some very good competitors and I am determined to keep the hard work going so I can give myself every possible chance of being successful in Russia.”

Mary trains four nights a week, as well as running regularly, and also teaches a children’s class before hers begins at Impact College Martial Arts.

Leasa Corbyn, Mary’s mother, said: “We are so proud of Mary and everything she has achieved since discovering kickboxing. The commitment she has shown to the sport and all our family are so happy for her on all her success.” 

Gemma Trattles, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Redcar, said:

“Mary is an absolute credit to our academy and everyone at the ̨��swag Family is so proud of her. Her attitude, work ethic and dedication to success make Mary a role model to other students and we wish her every success in the future. We will be cheering her on when she is in Russia!”