Mansfield PBA team to represent England at World Championships in Sicily

It will be a particularly big competition for 12-year-old Olivia Stroughton, who is defending six world titles from last year’s competition and has been competing for three years.

The Mansfield PBA contingent comprises eight youngsters in Olivia, Florence Scott-Murphy, Arwen Scott-Murphy, Alfie Richardson, Georgia Foster, Frankie Ulyat, Harlee Phythian and Adam Iqbal along with 60-year-old Tam Forsyth.

All will compete in kickboxing, karate, tae kwon do and musical/creative kata forms apart from Tam, who will just be competing in tae kwon do and Florence, who only competes in kickboxing.

The Personal Best Academy was established in 2007 and is currently based at Unit 2, The Broadway, opposite Mansfield police station.

Head instructor Zara Phythian a former 13-times world martial arts champions and two-times Guinness world record holder, opened the PBA to provide the local community with 'a safe and fun learning environment to study martial arts for the whole family'.

The PBA has since become Mansfield’s premier martial arts centre with over 300 active students training from four years onwards.

Olivia's mum, Katherine, who is also a PBA student, said: “Olivia is part of a competition squad both in traditional karate and kickboxing and she, along with others, have just competed in English championships and won title belts in their divisions.

“The team are now training hard ready to represent Mansfield and England in Sicily in April.

“These kids work hard every night of the week and give up their weekends to represent their club and town.

“Along with a donation from Mansfield District Council, these trips are self-funded by the club and parents and we hold a fun day and barbeque and other events to raise the funds.”

Zara added: “Martial arts has many positive benefits some of which are absolutely life-changing.

“Whether that’s building confidence, overcoming bullying, fitness and health improvements, learning self defence or becoming more disciplined and respectful, martial arts also gives opportunities to compete and travel around the world.

“Thanks to the Mansfield District Council local sports scheme funding,our members are now looking forward to competing this spring in Sicily and hope to bring home a successful medal haul.”

PBA had excellent success at the recent WMO National Championships and WKO British Championships and will be hoping to build on that in Sicily.

At the WKO, William Bingham, Charlotte Bingham, Stephen Bond, Ben Jeffery, Joel Birkenshaw, Frankie, Harlee and Olivia won five golds, eight silvers and five British title belts.

WMO results saw Tyler Brazier-Hadfield, William, Frankie, Anay Cook, Philip Paczynski, Elizabeth Benn, Ebony Fox, Alfie and Tam, in his first competition, won six golds 10 silvers and two bronze medals.

To find out more about opportunities at the Personal Best Academy and to follow the team’s success in Sicily, you can like and follow them on Facebook & Instagram - @pbakidzacademy @pbafightfactory.