KICKBOXING fanatics Shane Blackburn and Kate Davey are celebrating success on a national scale.
The Dorset duo, who train in Blandford, earned title belts at the WKU British Open at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Shane Blackburn, coach of Dorset Lau Gar kickboxing, won his -75kg semi contact points class and also secured bronze in the -70kg semi contact points category.
Kate Davey became British champion in both the +70kg points and light continuous after moving up from her usual weight of +65kg -70kg due to no shows in her class.
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Her efforts have earned a call-up to the WKU England squad for the World Championships in Cardiff in late October.
Blackburn's story is all the more remarkable after he broke his neck in 2018 and was told by his surgeon and doctors that his fighting days had gone.
However, in an incredible feat of defiance, the determined Blackburn has since become multiple British, European and World champion.
Blackburn has recently opened up new classes in Blandford every Monday and Thursday at R Lukins Fitness, Pimperne.
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