Wainui School pupils Gabby Minton (11yrs) and Talia Minton (9yrs) were recently successful in winning gold medals at kickboxing tournaments in Birmingham, England and Cararra, Italy.
The International Combat Organisation (ICO) world cup tournament held in Birmingham had around 500 competitors. Talia claimed a bronze in the Light Continuous 25-30kg category and a silver in the Low Kick 25-30kg category. Gabby won a few fights but didn’t progress to the podium. Their father Paul Minton claimed bronze in the K1 Light 80-85kg category.
The Unified World Champs in Italy had around 2000 competitors. Talia claimed silver again in Light Continuous and gold in Low Kick. Gabby won silver in Low Kick 35-40kg and gold in the 30-35kg. Paul won bronze again in the K1.
The girls were the flag bearers for the team of 22 Kiwis, with 15 fighters bringing home a total of 32 medals from the two events. The three Mintons and their instructor Mike Howard are based at Dynamic Martial Arts Silverdale. Mike also claimed medals at both events.
Everyone showed heaps of heart battling with the best in the world. To come out with so many medals, mates and memories is a family trip the Mintons will remember forever.
Minton Family Medal Haul
