More success for Fighting Falcons (From Andover Advertiser)

Young Fighting Falcon Alex makes national squad

1:54pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Other Sport

It has been a busy few weeks at the start of the 2013 competition season for the Fightong Falcons.

While they have not been travelling at full strength, the fighters that have gone out have picked up the mantle from last year and taken to the mats with some success.

January 14 saw them travel to Birmingham for the first of the KWON Grand Slam series. With many of the senior fighters missing, this was a chance for the new crop to make their mark. Seven travelled with three making the podium as Matt Duesbury and Callum Hollinshead took gold and silver in an all-Falcon novice boys’ point fighting final, while in the men’s intermediate points fighting division, Jon Van Den Heuvel showed his versatility as a competitor and took gold in what was a tough division.

January 27 saw the Falcons at the Watford Open Nationals. With only two weeks to the WAKO GB nationals the Watford Open traditionally brings all the best fighters out to play. This year was no different and even attracted fighters from Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy and Germany but once again the Falcons team was light with only five travelling. Tom Lucas and Stevie Parker both went out in the preliminary rounds, Stevie fighting well but losing to GB national champion Rachel House. Dan East and Van Den Heuvel both took silvers in the men's novice and men's intermediate points fighting divisions. Jon in particular shone in his division only narrowly losing to a very good Italian fighter. In the boys novice section, young Callum Hollinshead took first place with a very mature performance.

February 9 saw Falcons’ MMA fighter Wojtek Rudnik travel to Bristol for Tear Up 12, the south west’s top cage fight event. This was Wojtek’s seventh MMA fight using pro rules and his third appearance at Tear Up. With Sky TV coverage this was an exciting evening of top class MMA and he rose to the occasion with a very efficient and effective performance. This brings Wojtek's fight record to 3-4-0 with his last two fights on the bounce resulting in clear wins. His next performance will most likely be at Andover's own ITC event at the Leisure Centre.

February 16 and 17 saw four fighters from Team Falcons competing at what is the highest level of competition in the UK , the WAKO GB National Championships. Van Den Heuvel and Parker both went out in the preliminary rounds to top class competition and although both have done well in the past at international and national level, WAKO is the cream of the crop and the difference in class showed. A fantastic learning experience from which they both bring back a determination to be better next time. The Falcons, however did have some success with both Alex Kynaston and coach Gordon Mitchell taking the gold in their respective divisions. Another two WAKO British champions to add to the three WAKO titles won over the last few years.

This latest success now means that both Mitchell and Alex are part of the national squads for all three of the major kickboxing organisations in the UK. All in all a good start to what will hopefully be another successful year for the Falcons.

Falcons’ coach Gordon Mitchell will be featured soon in the latest l of sports editor Kerry Miller’s profiles.