‘My friends do dance but I want to be a black belt’ - Kickboxer Charlotte, 12, set for England debut
Charlotte Cameron will make her England debut at the Irish Open. - Credit: Archant
SHE has won 10 trophies, holds five titles and has been picked for England - but kickboxing sensation Charlotte Cameron is yet to turn 13.
Charlotte Cameron shows off her silverware. - Credit: Archant
The Wisbech youngster started training with the British and Chinese Kickboxing Association (BCKA) as a cure for boredom in the summer holidays.
Charlotte Cameron will make her England debut at the Irish Open. - Credit: Archant
But, in her first year of competition, she has taken the sport by storm and is now preparing to represent her country at next month’s Irish Open.
Charlotte Cameron will make her England debut at the Irish Open. - Credit: Archant
“It started off one summer a couple of years ago,” said Cameron. “I was bored and I saw the flyer for the BCKA so I went along. It just went from there.
“It’s my hobby and I’m proud of my achievements in it. A lot of my friends at school are into dance but I do my own thing - I want to be a black belt.”
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The 12-year-old is already a brown and white belt - just two grades away from the black-belt elite.
She became a Grand Slam Champion at the BCKA’s Peterborough Series last year and is now training with England three times a week in Corby.
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“I got all my England kit on Saturday,” said Cameron. “They called my name to collect my Irish Open kit and my face just lit up.
“It’s a lot different training with England. It’s hard but I enjoy it a lot because it helps with my fighting.
“The Irish Open will be a big test but good experience. I would love to win a title but I think getting into the top 10 would be good at my first international competition.
“Even if I get knocked out in the first round it’s still an achievement to get there.”
Cameron, who competes in the Under-12 55kg category, travels to Manchester this weekend for the World Association of Kickboxing (WAKO) qualifiers.
She has secured sponsorship from the Thomas Clarkson Academy, where she is in Year 8, but is appealing for more help in covering the costs of competition.
Anyone wishing to sponsor her should contact her father Stuart Cameron by e-mail at sjcx2@hotmail.com
