March fighter is named World Kickboxing Organisation’s (WKO) Low Kick Grand Champion

A teenage fighter from Fenland is delighted to have been named the South Yorkshire-based World Kickboxing Organisation’s (WKO) Low Kick Grand Champion for the second year running.

Harry Watson, who describes himself as ‘fairly new to fighting starting late 2021 at 15, and only having my first competitive bout in 2022,’ won all three competition categories after beating opponents from England, Ireland and South Africa.

‘I started out with karate,’ explained Watson, who recently turned 19.

"But I now travel to RKA Kickboxing Academy in March as I wanted to be on fight shows and to be frank needed aggressive training to be able to show just how tough I could be in the ring or cage.

"I won a boxing match late in 2023 by second-round stoppage.

"I’ve competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coming second overall but losing out to those interested by triangle choke submission whereas I won the European title by flying guillotine choke submission.

"It’s quite technical and requires a lot of practice to execute all these winning moves correctly."

Stuart Harris, owner and head coach at RKA, said: "Harry is a solid fighter who loves to entertain, puts it all on the line and gets the job done.

"Win or lose he's always smiling and has lots of potential. We also appreciate how he’s become part of the coaching team and always helps with training for both younger and older fighters."

Watson himself ‘likes RKA because of the great atmosphere where everyone is always there to work hard preparing for matches. "Everyone turns up to train hard," he said.

"When away from fighting I like to study professionals and try to implement new ways of mastering my techniques and skills. Most of my time, even outside of fighting, is spent looking for new ways to improve."

RKA is a family-run club with Paige Harris coaching alongside her father and veteran coach Paul Haddow.

They were winners of Fenland Citizen’s Reader’s Choice Award for the last two years and the newspaper’s ‘Team of the Year’ award the last three.

Coach Stuart won WKO’s ‘Best Coach Award’ for 2024 with daughter Paige receiving an award for developing opportunities for women in combat sports.

"They’ve got massive fight experience," explained Watson.

"Including representing Team England Kickboxing and they’re ideally placed to help me as I look to compete in two new disciplines, MMA and Thai Boxing, as well as having more frequent kickboxing matches."

"RKA exists for the local community providing a safe space and a top-level training facility. They’ve produced champion fighters throughout the years who are role models for the younger generation, which I also aim to become."

Watson admits to being a combat sports addict who spends free time looking for ways to master skills and techniques.

"I started out wanting to get fit while learning how to fight and prove exactly what I’m made of, how physically and mentally tough and most of all courageous I can be," he admitted.

"Fights can be dangerous but that’s what makes it exciting and appealing. The ring or cage is the place where the mask slips and people get to find out what type of person you really are, there's no hiding.

"Fighters show each other great mutual respect because they’ve both been through the rigours of training to give their best enduring maybe months of gruelling preparation.

"One-on-one combat takes bravery and in the run-up to a fight I remind myself that my opponent is feeling the same emotions as me even if they’re good at hiding it."

"It’s also about having fun. That’s why I’d encourage everyone but particularly children and teenagers to come to RKA give it a go and see how after just a few sessions of admittedly hard work you’ll be making some serious improvement and becoming the person you want to be. Everyone is welcome."

Watson sees himself as eventually joining the professional ranks in MMA and Muay Thai but like all elite athletes will need sponsorship.

"People feeling generous can contact me via Instagram @harrywatson329 or e-mail harry.watson25@icloud.com - I promise it’ll be a wise investment."