Sleaford’s Milligan brothers off to represent Team England at World Kickboxing Championships

Jay is 16 and has only been fighting competitively for two years but has already landed British, English and Welsh titles while Nate, 12, is quickly following in his footsteps.

The BCKA Heckington & Sleaford Kung Fu & Kickboxing club pair had a fantastic English Championships at Doncaster Racecourse in February with Jay winning gold in the -50kg category in Light Continuous and Nate landing silver in Light Continuous and bronze in the Points class in his -35kg category.

Those achievements now have them on a plane on Friday to Chiclana, Cádiz, in Spain to represent Team England at the WKKC World Championships.

“I am extremely proud of them and their dedication to the sport,” said mum Jade Wilbraham.

“Especially Jay, who has decided not to pursue further education as he has chosen to make kickboxing his career and is already coaching children at his local club.

“His dream is to open his own kickboxing gym, coach children and be a professional kickboxer.

“I know they will both do well in Spain and I have every faith in them.

“Even if it doesn't happen I will still be very proud of them to just get to this level.

“They are extremely dedicated children and I couldn't be more proud watching them compete.

“There are highs and lows but it is their passion at the end of the day and me and their dad support them all the way.”

Jay recently achieved his 2nd degree Black belt and Nate his Brown belt.

This is 2025 English title winner Nate's world debut but Jay has already had one taste of representing England in the World Championship so far in 2024 in Albufeira, Portugal.

Jade explained: “The odds were stacked against him as he was very small in his -45kg weight category but he still placed fourth. This year he will be fighting at -55kg while Nate will be at -35kg.

“They train six days a week.

“Both have been with their coach, Paul Reed, since they were four and a half years old.

“He coaches them on a Wednesday night at Great Hale Village Hall.

“Then they travel to CKC Corby to train on a squad four times a week and they also box with pro boxer Callum Johnson at his Boston Elev8 gym to work on the hands side of things.

“Coach Richard Wooton has also played a massive part in their journey and goes to all their competitions with them – he is flying out to Spain with them too.

“Jay's dad, Robert Milligan, has trained him in the living room since he was a small boy and is the one who takes him and Nate everywhere all over the UK almost every night.

“He is straight in from work and straight out again.”

The boys are sponsored by sports charity LUTSO, Holton Independent School and RW Installations, all from Sleaford.

To try to help cover the costs of the trip to Spain a GoFundMe was also set up which has provided some backing and Jade said: “We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to that.

“Without them and the sponsors this would not be happening.

“At amateur level there is no funding for children so parents have to rely on themselves to fund this or sponsorship and charities.”