Bristol’s teenage MMA fighting sensation Cairo Thomas has been chosen to represent England at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi this summer – and now a fundraiser has been set up to help him get there.
The 13-year-old from Lyde Green was crowned European Champion in the octagon at his first major championships last month, taking his dream of becoming a professional MMA fighter to the next step.
And that success now means the youngster, who trains at the Roger Gracie East Bristol gym, has qualified for the world championship in the new world of junior mixed martial arts.
Cairo trained initially as a kickboxer, and was headhunted by the fledgling England youth set up. And sure enough, their faith in his ability to switch to mixed martial arts was justified as he overcame adversity in Serbia last month to be crowned European Champion at his first attempt in the C Category in his age and weight.
Junior MMA is a relatively new concept as the International MMA Federation seek to grow the sport. The England set up isn’t yet ratified fully with the Government’s sports governing bodies, and that means there’s no funding yet for junior England teams.
So Cairo and his mum Leilani-Chyna are having to fund his ambitions for world championships glory, and she has set up a GoFundMe page to try to get to the £6,000 needed to take part in the world titles.
She said she was the proud single mother of Cairo, an ‘incredibly talented, hardworking young athlete’. She thanked supporters who donated to the previous fundraiser to get Cairo to compete in Serbia last month.
“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from our previous fundraiser, which enabled Cairo to achieve his remarkable victory in Serbia,” she said. “With continued kindness, we can help take the next step towards an even brighter future.
“This opportunity is not just a competition, it is a stepping stone in Cairo’s journey to become a seasoned professional MMA fighter,” she added. “Every donation, no matter the amount, brings us closer to ensuring that Cairo can proudly represent England on this international stage.”
For more information about Cairo’s appeal, click here.