KICKBOXER Lyle Hopkins has had plenty to celebrate over the New Year period having claimed his first competitive titles at the end of a whirlwind season.

The Wotton-under-Edge martial artist, 22, finished top of the WUMA (World United Martial Arts Federation) English and Welsh leagues and was awarded the titles of English Open Champion and Welsh Open Champion to cement his place as a true rising star within the sport.

A delighted Hopkins told the Gazette: "I'm very pleased with my performance. In one year of competing I've managed to fight my way from the bottom of the league to the top. I've made a lot of friends among the competitors and organisers and impressed them all with how quickly I've progressed."

Unfortunately, Hopkins's hopes of becoming the British kickboxing champion for the year were dashed as a week before the championship tournament he tore a quadricep muscle during a black belt grading, and this left him unable to train for the week running up to the tournament.

Although the injury was still causing him much pain, this did not stop Hopkins from competing in the British Championships anyway, where he incredibly achieved third place despite his problems.

He added: "I was very disappointed when the injury meant that I could not train in the week running up to the tournament, although I didn't let that stop me from competing.

"I did well to get third considering the circumstances, but you could tell on the day that I hadn't trained and I wasn't up to my normal standard."

It will be another two years until the next British Championships, when Hopkins will once again have a shot at the title.

For now, though, he will have to be content with his two Open titles. The English Champion title is for continuous kickboxing, while his Welsh Champion equivalent is for both continuous and points kickboxing.

He explained: "The English league is much tougher than the Welsh so I'm most proud of that title. Being English, I was surprised they let me compete in the Welsh league as well."

Hopkins's first titles have arrived at the same time as the completion of his first black belt in Wada Ryu Karate, with his freestyle kickboxing black belt grading arriving in just six months' time.

Hopkins added: "I hope to pass my freestyle black belt grading, then go on to another black belt in a different form of kickboxing so that, in total, I'll end up with three black belts. Then, I'm thinking of wrestling and grappling training, and the competitions available in those styles.

"My favourite tournament of the season was the Welsh Championship. My girlfriend had come to watch, so the pressure was on. I won every fight I had that day in both points and continuous. Not even one single split decision. Needless to say, it put a smile on her face."

Hopkins is a qualified kickboxing and karate instructor based in Wotton, and he is currently looking into larger training premises in Bristol. Anyone who is interested in competing in points or continuous kickboxing tournaments can call him on 07855 648971 for more information.