Team Falcons travelled to Birmingham for the CIMAC World Cup, one of the big competitions of the year and once again it brought out all of the UK’s top clubs as well as fighters from Ireland.

Eight fighters brought home a respectable four medals.

In the Ladies’ Novice division mother and daughter Tara and Isla Bradbury went out in the first round to more experienced competitors. Isla in particular put on a great performance losing 10-8 in what was an exciting and close fight.

Connor Burdock and Callum Hollinshead both performed well and showed improvement. Callum’s fight against an international from Ireland was very close and with just a few tweaks to his game would have been a win.

In the Men’s Novice divison Shaun Rushton and Jordan Edmonds both placed third after close fights.

Shaun lost to the eventual champion who he has lost to before but the result was much closer while Jordan was making his competition debut for the new club Falcons Tidworth and used his reach to good advantage.

The better timing and experience of his opponent was just enough to grab the win after a very close battle.

Brandon Prince and Bekah Mills both had outstanding performances in their respective divisions.

Bekah led the way with an easy win which resulted in a stoppage in the first round. The next two fights proved much tougher but good tactics and steely determination saw her beat both of her Bristol opposition with a comfortable lead.

Brandon’s division was filled with top fighters and carrying a back injury, the hold and counter fighting style of the Irish gave him problems.

Both the semi-final and final were tight affairs which Brandon won by just one point in both cases.

This gives the Falcons two more national titles and with many adults choosing not to fight due to personal circumstance or through injury, it has been left to the cadets and adult novices to fly the flag on the KWON and CIMAC circuits.

This week the Falcons have the senior team at the US Open and then later in the year will have fighters at the WKU and WAKO World and European Championships.