Teenage kickboxer wins gold at world championships

A GILLOTTS schoolboy has become a world champion in kickboxing for his age group.

It is the fourth time that Fionn Maher, 15, won gold in the advanced fighter category, having picked up the sport as a hobby in 2023.

Fionn, who lives in Binfield Heath with his parents Keith and Kim and sister Orla, achieved the feat at the World Kickboxing and Karate Union Championships held in Germany between Sunday, October 26 and Saturday November 1, 2025.

The event took place at the SWT Arena in Trier.

Fionn, who represented England, took gold in the “low kick light” category after fighting across four days.

He beat Lion Silberman, from Germany, in the quarter-finals before defeating Ieuan Borne, from Wales, in the semis. He then faced off against Hungary’s Márton Botos-Hubikand and, with a unanimous decision from the judges, won gold.

Last year, Fionn competed in 73 fights and 13 competitions, winning a further nine bronze, 10 silver and 10 gold medals. Since picking up the sport, he has won three gold belts and six world championship gold medals in
23 months.

His achievement in Germany comes more than a year after he first competed for his country in Rhodes where he won bronze in the “karate kumite” event and placed fifth in the “light contact” and ninth in the “kick light” categories.

Reacting to his latest victory, Fionn said: “It was exciting as the last time but also as hectic as you would expect, with flight plans, kit, diet and hydration, my weight, schedules, fight times and of course the pressure of fighting itself, all had to be managed very carefully.

“However, it was still a great experience and honour to represent England. Additionally I enjoyed being able to fight alongside team-mates who I have grown much closer to as we have trained and fought together.”

His success has been made possible thanks to a strict schedule described by his dad, Keith, as “gruelling”.

Fionn has attended an Easter training camp and multiple informal interclub competitions, squad training in High Wycombe, Newbury and Margate as well as a summer training camp in Greece.

Mr Maher, who helps to support his son’s training, said: “The schedule was gruelling and meticulously planned but necessary.

“During Fionn’s peaking phase, training occurred at least six days per week with strengthening, cardiovascular, core team discipline and extensive one-to-one tuition.”

The competition is not the only one Fionn has seen success in last year and, in June, he qualified to fight for England in another league, the World Martial Arts Committee. He fought in the WMAC British Championships at the Oxstalls Sports Arena in Gloucester, where he came second in three events.

Then, in September, at the WMAC World Martial Arts Games held in Hull, Fionn took another gold after fighting in the -65kg male cadet 15-17-year-old section. Fionn said: “I’m satisfied with the goals I have achieved last year. I am already of the knowledge that there are bigger targets to shoot for but until then I have built up a credible record for myself.”

He added: “I’d like to thank the various coaches and friends, and especially my parents who’ve assisted me in my achievements. These titles has cost many hours and those hours have come from some amazing people investing in me, helping me to achieve my greatest successes to date.”