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Girl kickboxer seeks to compete at world level

Hattie McCann
BBC News, Devon
BBC Six-year-old Ivanna performs a high kick during pad work training with her dad and brother. BBC
Ivanna and her brother train 16 hours a week

A six-year-old girl is channelling her energies into qualifying for the Kickboxing Youth World Championships in August 2026.

Ivanna, from Plymouth, started kickboxing at three-and-a-half and trains four or five times a week at her dad's studio.

After coming second in the National Kickboxing Championships in Nottingham, she now must compete in February in the WAKO National competition, finishing either first or second to qualify to compete next summer.

Ivanna's father Andy said: "We're trying to get her into Team GB and hopefully she will get a space in the near future."

Ivanna and her brother Alex stand side by side with their arms out. They have all of their medals, at least ten, hanging from their arms.
Ivanna and her brother have already won a number of competitions including national championships

Ivanna's older brother, Alex, has been competing at national level for three years with Ivanna following in his footsteps when she started competed more than a year ago.

Ivanna recently moved up into the 7-9 age category, even though she is only six-and-a-half.

Her father said he was really proud, adding: "She is doing great for her age, she is always concentrated and focussed, sometimes she needs a little push but that is normal. All in all, she is amazing."

Andy said he would like to see both of his children competing at the Olympic Games one day.

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