A young Belfast man who began fighting back after being relentlessly bullied at school has won two world titles at a major kickboxing tournament after knocking out his rivals.
Brandon McKibben (23) beat France’s Nathan Berthet and secured a technical knockout (TKO) victory against Slovakia’s David Zold in two different rule category bouts at the WKO K-1 World Championships in Basildon, Essex on October 12.
It comes a year after the young fighter, who has also picked up four European titles, was crowned world champion at the same tournament.
“It was phenomenal,” he said. “I was training intensely for months and focusing on the event so I went with mixed emotions.
“I was excited and a bit nervous, but when it came down to it, it was just confidence.
“There was only a four minute break between the fights — it was mad.”
Brandon McKibben
The tense face-off before the bouts didn’t intimidate Brandon who has overcome bullies since first encountering them when he began primary school.
He knew something had to change after he was “jumped” by a large crowd in P7.
“My dad encouraged me to start standing up for myself and eventually I began to fight back,” Brandon said.
“Being hit is a very scary thing, but I almost got in trouble for defending myself once.
“I would never start a fight, but knowing I can defend myself and restrain another person is empowering and has been a great confidence builder.”
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A stronger sense of self-esteem and success in the ring has also acted as a deterrent for those looking for someone to pick on.
“The people I fight now are the nicest people in the world and it almost always ends with a hug,” Brandon said.
“I love it — I also teach jujitsu to kids going through the same struggles and they are so bubbly and positive.”
Brandon took up the sport at the age of five and was fighting in tournaments by the time he was 10.
It was his dad Gary who encouraged him to enrol at Victory Martial Arts — the club he runs on the Castlereagh Road in Belfast — after seeing the devastating impact of bullying.
“I’ve been teaching kickboxing and jujitsu to kids and adults for over two decades,” the father-of-five explained.
“Brandon was a very timid child but also really friendly, almost too friendly, so people tended to bully him.
“It was tough to watch from the sidelines, but then he really came into his own.”
Brandon McKibben (left) with rival David Zold.
Gary has always been in the corner for those suffering at the hands of bullies and is proud of the “strength of character” his son has shown.
“The main reason I set up the coaching centre was to help young people develop confidence and come out of their shell,” the martial arts instructor said.
“One of our students has his first fight in a few weeks and he came to us because he was being bullied.
“I’d say half the people who come to us do so as a result of being picked on.
“They are usually quite timid but end up very confident once they know how to handle themselves. Brandon has really grown, he is very well mannered and holds himself very well.
“Our ethos is family and very much focused on building people up to become the best they can be.”