Kickboxer delivers unintentional knockouts

It was billed as a sparring competition, but Otis McPherson’s striking was so clean the kickboxer knocked out two of his opponents in Sydney.

It marked the 17-year-old’s return to the ring as he manages a back injury. The rangy Nelson fighter not only won the 79kg U18 division but the open title as well, at the “Full Force” event.

“His timed back kicks could be heard in the next arena and his precision punches caused fights to be stopped,” enthuses SMA – Sport Martial Arts  - coach Sallie MacArdle.

Otis is set to return to Sydney in December for his K1 debut on the same card as SMA star Miguel Nunez.

Fifteen-year-old Bhakti Rutledge continued his great year by winning gold too, in the U18 67kg division, delivering strong sidekicks and hand combinations.

The Māpua teenager was only denied more success in the adult ranks after a nose bleed, caused by a previous fight, caused blood clots to slip down his throat.

The third of the teenage trio, Mikey Ching, also took home gold after the 17-year-old drew his fight against an adult rival.

Sallie says the Sydney trip was the ideal build-up for even bigger targets for Otis, Bhakti and Mikey early next year.

“I am taking them to compete in the world and European cups in Bulgaria and Italy,” confirms Sally, who took eight of her charges to Sydney.

Sarah Randall made a winning return to the ring, claiming gold in two points fights, while Emma Scully, who had shed 10kgs, earned a silver medal.

Another 15-year-old, Jesse Newton, who made a switch from boxing to kickboxing, won his division, while Cian Thornalley, who is just 14, fought hard against more experienced opposition.

Injury forced Jack Hall to pull out so he ended up helping Sallie with her other fighters and also took hundreds of photos from the two-day event.