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Medal Success at the European Muay Thai Championships
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October 2007 Vigo City, Spain
Bury St Edmunds Thai Boxers, Don Heatrick and Jack Griffin were both selected to represent England at the EMC Amateur Muay Thai Championships in Vigo City, Spain, after impressing national team selectors at numerous fights around the country this year.
Preparations for both fighters were going well, until three months before the championships. Don injured his knee, which prevented him training, forcing him to withdraw from championships as a fighter. He commented, “I flew to Spain with Jack to act as his trainer and corner man, after my patella tendon injury failed to heal quickly enough.”
On arrival in Spain, England Team officials explained that Don had not been withdrawn, and was still eligible to fight if he decided to. Those that know Don will understand that the temptation was too great for him, and despite the injury and lack of fitness, he re-entered the championships. Don says, “After narrowly missing out on a medal at the World Championships in Thailand earlier this year, I didn’t want to waste the opportunity. After all, I travelled out to Spain with Jack, I might as well get stuck in now I’m here!”
The three day championships concluded with the finals held on Saturday 14th October in the Instituto Municipal dos Deporte de Vigo. Jack Griffin fought in the Heavyweight final against a Kiril Pendzhurov from Bulgaria, and put in a superb performance against the larger more experienced fighter. The work rate of both fighters was even though out the fight, but the notable difference was the techniques thrown. Pendzhurov favoured punches where as Griffin also employed kicks, elbows and knees. The International judges awarded the fight to Jack Griffin, and the European Gold medal came home to the Phraya Pichai Muay Thai Camp in Bury St Edmunds.
Don Heatrick fought in the Cruiserweight final against Mehmet Ozer from Turkey. After dominating the first round, Don’s fitness was obviously a problem as the fight continued. After going the distance, the judges awarded the fight to Ozer and Turkey claimed the Gold medal and Heatrick took the silver medal home.
The pair of medals crown a year of phenomenal achievement for the Bury St Edmunds Muay Thai Gym, based in the Taishindo Academy in Kempson Way. Don explains, “Other England team members are from London, Leeds and Manchester. When they ask where we’re from, they’re surprised. There’s not the concentration of Thai Boxing in this area of the country, but we’re putting Suffolk Muay Thai on the map!” Jack adds, “Many thanks to Solid Security for sponsoring Don and me to get to these European Championships. We done them proud aswell.”
The pair are looking forward to the World Championships in March next year, and hope to once again prove their credentials on the World stage.
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>> click here to visit the forum post (make your comments)
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Jack Continues Winning Streak With Another TKO
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Siam Camp Show, September 16th
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Unfortunately, no pics of Jack fighting,
so here he is asleep on the car
journey home—with a ‘piggy’
neck support that he found
in the back of Richie’s car!
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Once again another excellent show in Oldham, great atmosphere and very professionally organised.
Many thanks to those that travelled up to Oldham this weekend to support our fighter Jack Griffin (Don unfortunately had to pull out due to his lingering knee injury).
Special thanks to Richie Gent for not only cornering, but doing the driving!
Jack rewarded you all with another superb performance, repeatedly knocking down his opponent Robert Jeffery (Sit Phar Naret) with knees, kicks and elbows. Jeffery barely survived the first round, and was immediately in trouble in the second as Jack dropped him with a rear leg round kick to the head. Jack finished the fight swiftly with Jeffery trapped in his own corner, sending him to the canvas with a barrage of knees and elbows. Final result TKO, round two to Mr Griffin!
This fight, although not providing a test for Jack, will serve as a confidence booster before the European Amateur Muay Thai Championships in Spain.
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>> click here to visit the forum post (make your comments)
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Don and Jack Get Selected For Team England
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Bury Thai Boxers to fight in European Championships, Spain
 England and Great Britain Team Manager, Kru Yai Mark Corfield, has made his selections for the England Amateur Muay Thai Team for the EMC European Championships in Vigo City, Galicia, Spain... and Don Heatrick and Jack Griffin are in!
Don will be England’s Light Heavyweight boxer, and Jack will be England’s Heavyweight. This is a great honour for the Bury St Edmunds Thai boxers, who’ll get to compete against the best fighters in Europe - who also happen to be the best in the World at these heavier weight categories. So this will every bit a hard as the World Championships earlier this year for our boys. Bring on Belarus and Russia, it’s rematch time!!!!
Once again, the England Team isn’t funded, so both fighters will need to raise the money to attend the European Championships. A total of £1000 will be needed to get Don and Jack to Spain, so anyone able to help with sponsorship please contact the >> Academy, or speak to Kru Nick or Don.
Anyone wishing to travel to support Team England at the Championships is most welcome. The dates for the Championships are 8th-14th October 2007.
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>> click here to visit the forum post (make your comments)
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First Time Success for Novice Thaiboxers
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AKA Championships, Manchester Event - 21st July 2007
A total of four Phraya Pichai fighters competed on this Manchester event, hosted by Lee Green and his Higher Level Gym. Of these seven fighters, three where stepping into the ring for the first time!
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The first fight of the show was the gym’s Deborah Heatrick against Loren McGoughy. This left no time for pre-fight preparation, and both girls just had to ‘get it on’! From the bell, Deborah continued forward pressure relentlessly dishing out punches, kicks and clinch knees. Loren was unable to respond under the sustained attack and the first round concluded with Deborah scoring over 60 points and TKO’ing (outclass) Loren.
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Next from the gym was Matthew Butcher, who fought Daryl Ellis. After finishing the first round ahead, Matthew found the second round more demanding and allowed Daryl to take the lead. The third round saw both fighters digging deep and swapping lead numerous times. Eventually the round finished with both scores even! This meant an extra round to find the winner. For Matthew’s first fight this was a good test of what sort of fighter he is. It was a test he passed, showing determination and fitness to claim victory and finish the fight 10-points clear.
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Big Richie Danyluk fought Neil Humpheries in his first fight. Rich began with a strong push kick sending Neil flying back into the ropes from the centre of the ring. As both fighters closed again, Richie delivered a well timed low kick, sending Neil to the floor. The rest of the round all went Richie’s way, successfully delivering punches, kicks and clinch knees - and another TKO (outclass) was awarded to the Academy.
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Richie Gent was also matched against a Higher Level fighter, Richard Callaghan, this time for an IKF Brithish Middleweight Title. Richie Gent, opened the fight aggressively, and we all new we where going to see a good ring performance from him. Gent rocked Callaghan with heavy punches that could have claimed a KO. But again, the Higher Level fighter managed to do enough with a good kicking tactic to get the better of the points, even if they were receiving more damage! Unfortunately Gent was outclassed on points in the second round despite being the dominant fighter, and Callaghan was awarded the British Title.
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All the Phraya Pichai fighters fought well regardless of the final decisions, but a big congratulations to all three ‘first timers’ for gaining wins on your first time out. The next event is in Warrington in September 15th. Good luck to those training for this one!
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Don takes Light Heavyweight Title;
Jacks Third Straight Win!
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KO Amateur Muay Thai Show July 2007
 On a very hot Sunday, the Phraya Pichai fight team attended the KO Gym in Tottenham for the July Amateur Muay Thai Show. The team consisted of three fighters (Don Heatrick, Jack Griffin and Ian Sheehan) and three corner-men (Matt Deshields, Richard Danyluk and super stand in Richie Gent).
Don was the first of the three Phraya Pichai fighters to compete, and was matched for the EMF Amateur Muay Thai Southern Area Light Heavyweight Title against Jony Mamartlaev the 5-times Uzbekistan National Champion. This proved to be a difficult fight, full of 'dirty tactics' employed by Jony to gain the advantage over Don psychologically and physically (through injury). Don managed to negate these attempts, but found Jony's unorthodox style difficult to adjust to. Finishing the stronger and cleaner, all five judges awarded the fight to Don and the Light Heavyweight Title belt came home to Bury St Edmunds. This now means Don has won the Southern Area Title in three different weight categories–Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight–and continues his quest for selection for Team England at the European Muay Thai Championships in Spain in October.
Just two more fights on, and Ian Sheehan entered the ring to represent Phraya Pichai against Will from Shaolin. After his usual strong start, Ian began tiring substantially, and although on occasions he managed to fire off some good shots, Will was able to keep pressure on Ian and throw him to the canvas. The decision went to Will, but Ian had gone the distance and completed all three rounds.
Immediately after Ian, Jack Griffin began his fifth Muay Thai fight, and at last was this time granted a full Muay Thai rules bout (elbows and knees to the head permitted). Jack's opponent, Gregg from KO Gym, weighed in at the top of the Heavyweight category (91kg), while Jack had weighed in at the bottom of the category 85kg. Jacks opponent was VERY tall, and surprisingly considering the range advantage of his opponent, Jack was able to make him miss, and counter well with kicks. In the clinch, Jack had some success with elbows and knees, and it was apparent that the tall opponent wasn't going to get it all his own way. It was a good battle, with Jack scoring the cleaner techniques and an edge on fitness, which saw the judges awarding him the fight and his third successive win.
The corner team of Matt Deshields, Richard Danyluk and Richie Gent handle handled the tight timescales very professionally, ensuring the fighters were well prepared and ready to go. The whole fight team is going from strength to strength.
At the show, Don was approached by Kru Yai Mark Corfield (Great Britain Team Manager) requesting notification of any Phraya Pichai fighters for consideration for Team England at the European Championships in October. So now both Don Heatrick and Jack Griffin have been formally submitted for selection, and we'll have to wait and see!
More pictures and videos to come very soon…
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>> click here to visit the forum post (more pics, make your comments)
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Don and Jack both TKO their opponents!
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Bury St Edmunds Muay Thai makes a formidable impression at Master Lloyd’s Amateur Muay Thai Show in Oldham, Leeds
 Don Heatrick was the first Bury fighter to enter the ring, matched against home crowd favourite Louis Norton, from Siam Camp, at Light Heavyweight (81kg max). From the bell, Don attacked first and soon began landing heavy knees to Norton's face. These blows obviously shocked Louis who was unable to return any kind of effective attack, while Heatrick continued to deliver knees to the body and punishing elbows and knees to the head. The fight continued in this way until the third round when the referee stopped the fight after inspecting Norton's bleeding face with his cornerman, Master Lloyd. This was a devastating performance by Don, in his first fight since returning from the World Championships in March, proving that he has developed a lot from the experience in Thailand.
Five fights later, Jack Griffin faced Heavyweight Curtis McDonald (91kg max) from Golden Cobra Gym after confidently performing the Wai Kru ritual. Before the fight, McDonald's trainer had declined a 'full Thai rules bout', forcing Jack to remove the elbows and knees to the head from his arsenal. In the ring, Jack attacked first, landing a heavy round kick to McDonald's head who had come arrogantly forward with a low guard, barely getting his gloves up in time. The fight range closed and Jack's clinch pulled the ill fitting head guard from McDonald's head. Curtis looked shell-shocked and took full advantage of the 'timeout' as a new head guard was fitted. When the fight resumed, Griffin's heavy blows were damaging McDonald who resorted to spitting out his gum shield in an attempt to get more resting time. This only delayed the inevitable, as Jack again hounded his opponent in his own corner, and landed another knee to McDonald's body finishing the fight in round two.
The Phraya Pichai corner team of Matt Deshields and Richard Danyluk prepared the both fighters perfectly, both before the fight and at ringside—their contribution to the two winning fights was considerable. The lads competently applied the cornering principles learnt by Don and Richard Gent while at the World Championships, and the results speak for themselves!
 Also, thanks to the supporters who undertook the 3-1/2 hour car journey to cheer on our boys. The ringside table, Thai food, and competent team performance must have made it a worthwhile excursion! We look forward to the next outing for the Muay Thai fighters, which will be 15th July at the KO Amateurs Show in Tottenham
Streaming Fight Highlight Videos
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>> click here to visit the forum post (more pics, make your comments)
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Dons Nearly Stops The Russian!!!!
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An unlucky draw gives Don an extra fight and the Russian World Champ
 Don has now returned from the WMF Amateur Muay Thai World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. Where he represented England in the Light Heavyweight division.
This division was the largest of all in the Championship, meaning the Light heavyweights would have more fights than anyone else to reach a medal position. The numbers also worked out so that two unlucky boxers would have to have an extra fight than all the other Light Heavyweights. So on the first day of the Championships, while all the other Light Heavyweight boxers had a rest day, England was drawn to fight Japan. So Don was fighting Changuho Kim!!!!!!
 Don debuted at the Championships determined not to lose his first fight, and be eliminated on the first day. It was a fight dominated Don’s and his knee strikes, which dislodged the Japanese fighter’s two front teeth! The fight was eventually stopped by the referee in the third round - awarding Don his first win.
It was expected that the next day Don would get a rest before fighting again, to give him a chance to recover before facing his next opponent, who was yet to fight. Tough luck again! Don was drawn to fight Steve Zaidi the French Champion the next day.
This second fight was a war! The French boxer quickly got into his game, forcing Don to dig deep to recover from a lost first round. Zaidi’s work rate was high, but Don employed more higher scoring techniques (knees and kicks) rather than the French Champions punches. This was a close fight, but Don got the decision.
 This win meant that Don would be facing the Russian European and two-times World Champion Vitaly Salnikov the next day. This was yet another tough draw, as the winner would be guaranteed a bronze medal, while the loser gets nothing. It was unfortunate for Don to be drawn against such an opponent just outside of a medal position, but just like a the extra fight, it’s the luck of the draw!
Don entered the ring determined to claim a medal position despite his opponent facing him. But regardless of this intention the Russian Champion technically won the first round leaving Don unhurt but trailing on points. The second round saw the tide turn, as Don landed some heavy blows slowing the Russian considerably. This round seemed to finish evenly, Don was back in the fight! In the third round Don continued to successfully compromise Salnikov’s defence landing some solid blows. By the end of the round Don emerged as the stronger boxer appearing to have clinched the final round.
 The wait for the judges decision was agonising. But in the end the a split-decision went to the red corner - Russia. It appears that the first round was enough to get the defending Champion through to the next stage.
The Russian had his third fight the following day against the Moroccon Abelilaii Sarti to see who would be in the Final against the Belerussian Dzianis Honcharonak. During the fight against the Morrocon, Salnikov (Russia) seemed much less fluid than the fight the previous day against Don. He missed counter opportunities that he ordinarily lapped up. The battle with Don the previous day had obviously taken it’s toll, but again, that’s the luck of the draw - some times you’ll get easy fights, sometimes you may win but still be tired and sore. Salnikov was looking for the big punch to finish the Moroccon, but it didn’t happen. The final decision went to Morocco and Salnikov had to settle for bronze rather than a gold medal this year.
After a days rest, the final fight saw Dzianis Honcharonak (Belerus) landing some heavy hits and spinning elbow to defeat Abelilaii (Morocco) to claim the Gold medal.
 As a result of Don’s performance at the World Championships, he has automatically been selected by Team England to compete at the European Championships in Portugal in October, and next years World Championships! So despite not getting a medal, Bury St Edmunds Muay Thai has gained a lot of respect and recognition not only in the UK, but also on the World scene. Now the Worlds teams are aware of the threat Don poses at the such Championships, and will study his style looking for weaknesses to exploit. The ‘unknown’ factor has now gone, and it’s time for Don to develop as a fighter to further compete at this level.
‘Thanks again to everyone who helped Richie and I get to the Championships. We’ve both learned a massive amount, which we are enthusiastically bringing back to Phraya Pichai Bury St Edmunds. Big thanks to Kru Yai Vinnie Deckon from KO Muay Thai in London, for cornering for my fights and teaching Richie and I so much.
I’m confident that not only will I be returning to International competition, but that others from Bury are more than capable of representing England themselves. Now we have the experience to prepare those that want it!’ - Don Heatrick
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>> Click here to read more detail from the forum (including pics)
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Kru Bob Spour is Coming!
Warning, this seminar could seriously
improve your fighting!!!
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Tues 27th Feb, Muay Thai Seminar 7:00 - 9:00
 Bob will be visiting the academy on Tuesday 27th February to conduct a Muay Thai seminar from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Bob and Nick have also generously decided to donate half of the procedings from the seminar to our Academy charity cases - Don and Richie, to get them both to Thailand for the WMF World Championships (see detail below).
So please support this seminar, you’ll be getting some top quality training for yourselves as well as helping our international fighter, Don, represent his country!
For those of you who haven’t met Bob yet, he is our chief instructor and the founder of Phraya Pichai Muay Thai International. He’s written the excellent book Ultimate Muay Thai among his other many achievements.
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>> Find out more about Bob here
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Academy Instructor to Fight in Thailand - Sponsors needed!
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Don selected for England Amateur Muay Thai Squad
 Kru Don Heatrick has been selected to fight as England’s Light Heavyweight fighter at the WMF World Amateur Muay Thai Championships in Bangkok, Thailand in March.
Taishindo Instructor, Richard Gent, will also be attending as acting cornerman. This is not a funded Championship and money must be raised to get Don and Richie to Thailand.
‘Please can you help by contributing to the collection held at reception? Any amount will be greatfully received!
Please leave your name on the list, as all sponsors will be listed on the website as a public thank you.’
Sincerest thanks,
Don
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>> Read more and make your comments on the Fight Forum
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A massive thank you to all that have sponsored Don:
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Vinten, Camera Dynamics Limited - Main sponsors
>> www.vinten.com
>> www.vitecgroup.com
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Carr and Ferrie - providing travel to and from airports
>> email Fiona Ferrie
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Guys & Gals at Camera Dynamics:
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Adrian Green
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Darren Turner
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Kevin Last
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Peter Smith
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Adrian Moulem
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Diane Fuller
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Leigh-Anne Ireland
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Phil Burroughs
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Alan Wickham
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Dom Cotton
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Lofty Arbon
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Phil Dalgoutte
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Alan Woodward
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Duncan Moffat
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M. Defew
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Rachel Furner
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Alison Moore
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Gary Tompkins
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M. Taylor
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Rachel Kippen
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Alonzo Garza
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Geoff Clack
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Mark Arbon
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Richard Howell
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Andrew Codd
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Greg Brown
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Mark Corby
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Ruth Paskins Gordon
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Andy Fairs
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Hayley Virciglio
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Mark Holt
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Steve Manning
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Andy Flight
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Helen Vallier
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Mark Osborne
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Sean Bird
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Andy Leczycki
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Ian Kizis
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Mark Phillips
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Sharre Jones
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Andy Murrow
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Ian Leggett
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Martin Smith
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Sherrill Allen
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Andy Petrie
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Ian Scott
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Martyn Pipe
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Simon Rose
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Ashley Kool
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Ian Siney
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Mike Sainsbury
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Siobhann Chapman
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Bob Rose
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James Guest
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Nelson Agricole
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Stan Gosling
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Bob Sharpe
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Jed Wallace
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Nick Bonney
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Steph Woodger
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Brian Arbon
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Jim Robertson
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Nicky Minett
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Steve Heffer
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Cali Crawford
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John Ashley
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Nigel Defew
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Steve Holstead
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Carl Brewer
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John Bennett
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Nigel Holland
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Steve Lightfoot
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Chris McIntye
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John Boyle
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Nigel Rose
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Steve Palmer
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Chris O'Neil
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John Davison
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Paul Holmes
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Steve Turner
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Christelle
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John Radford
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Paul Smith
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Steven Howard
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Christina Dale
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Karen Walker
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Paul Watson
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Stuart Harris
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Cliff Arbon
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Kathleen Turner
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Peter Attwood
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Terry Howes
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Clint Courtney
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Keith Gibson
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Peter Dickenson
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Tony Saberi
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Clive Brixey
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Keith Mayes
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Peter Harman
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Trevor Ansell
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Colin Swann
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Ken Robins
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Peter Overy
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Vince Marrinor
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Dan Fuller
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Kevin Cordy
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Peter Royce
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Wendy Rayner
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Nick Pamment, Bob Spour and the Guys & Gals at the Taishindo Martial Arts Academy / Phraya Pichai Muay Thai
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