KIDDERMINSTER martial arts star James Winsper is hoping that victory over Carl Mallinson on Saturday will act as a springboard to national title glory.

The 26-year-old tackles Mallinson in Weston-Super-Mare in a full contact kick-boxing bout on Saturday.

This will only be the fighter’s second fight since he ended a three-year break from action by defeating Bristol’s Ateeq Rehman at Kidderminster Town Hall last year.

Winsper is hoping that a convincing win over Mallinson will act as the catalyst to a British title fight in the ISKA governing body.

He has had to drop down to the 82 kilogram weight division in order to fight his opponents but admits he is confident on his own ability.

“I am expecting Carl [Mallinson] to be a really busy fighter, who won’t stop trying to breach my defence,” said Winsper.

“I know that I am more skillfull so I am hoping that when I turn up the heat I’ll be too good for him.

“This fight is a stepping stone and if I produce a really good performance it would help me get a regional title fight.

“If that goes well I want to fight for the English title, which is a gateway to the British championships.

“I am a few pounds lighter than I need to be with a few days to go so that gives me a bit if leeway to add a few if needed.

“The training has been good and I feel really sharp.”

n Four students from Winsper’s Gym kicked off their year in style by winning medals at a mini-karate competition held in Halesowen.

Mitchell Turner-Share, four, Kiernan Ferry, six, and cousins Harry and Joseph Beard, who are five and seven-year-olds respectively, all competed in the team event, which had clubs enter from around the West Midlands and came in the top three overall.

The tournament involved them taking on all other teams in a round-robin-style league.

“They all did brilliantly,” commented instructor Winsper.

“The tournament was especially for novice competitors, to help them build confidence and learn about competing and the four lads all tried tremendously hard and did really well.”

The quartet were competing in a special brand of karate, which involved only the lightest contact to be made, making it perfect to learn for such young ages with no risk of injury.

They all train in a specialist group called ‘ittle Ninjas, which teaches them specific skills such as balance, co-ordination, teamwork and focus en route to winning their own version of the coveted black belt.

Anyone interested in information about karate or kickboxing classes for adults and children can call Winsper’s Gym on 01562 865195.

attached is a bit of info from an event last week. There's also a photo (L to R, Harry, Kiernan, Mitchell, Joseph)