A BRIDGWATER kickboxer who came out of retirement after eight years and has won a world title.

Mark Drewett-Nation, 32, who runs the Somerset Kickboxing Academy, originally stepped down from full contact kickboxing in 2010 when he opened the academy feeling he could not juggle the two.

But over the years his students encouraged him to give competitive kickboxing another go, believing he still had what it takes.

"For a long time I resisted, but this year the World United Martial Arts (WUMA) Championships returned to the UK for the first time in 20 years and I thought it was now or never," Mr Drewett-Nation said.

"Going back into training to compete at that level was tough, you have to train hard, watch what you eat and I had to cut down the amount of time I was spending with my family for a few months to make sure I was at my best."

He competed in a few heavy contact bouts ahead of the championships before making the jump to full contact.

"I travelled up to the WUMA Championships which were held at the Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Worcester on Friday, October 5, where there were competitors from all over the world including Sweden, Sri Lanka, Greece and Malta," Mark says.

Mark managed to get to the final in the Under 75kg category and won in the first round via technical knockout, meaning he came away with the coveted gold medal and was named WUMA World Champion in his weight division.

"It felt very different competing this time around, facing a lot of competitors who were younger than me but I went in to it feeling 100 per cent mentally and physically.

"I was delighted to achieve my goal and win the gold medal but I am now going back into retirement as I do not like spending the time away from my family."

He will now return to prioritising the Somerset Kickboxing Academy, which he says is always on the look out for new members, whether that is children, teenagers or adults.

Those interested in finding out more information should visit somersetkickboxingacademy.com or call Mark on 07864 987924.