“ProKick Team Honoured By City Hall”

Belfast Lord Mayor Wallace Browne began the last month of his term in office in the company of a breed of new champions from the city’s most famous kickboxing gym.
The first citizen honoured fighters who had achieved title success last month but it was he who was on the ropes when local artist and kickboxer Daryl Campbell unveiled a unique portrait of Cllr Brown.

Campbell, whose work is backed by celebrated artist Terry Bradley, captured the Lord Mayor in front of the City Hall sporting boxing gloves and his mayoral chain.
“I am absolutely stunned,” said Cllr Brown.
“I never expected to be framed with boxing gloves on. I wonder how this would look alongside the other portraits in the City Hall?
“It’s a great compliment to have someone take the time to do this as a gift and I’m thankful he was kind and took a few pounds off me!”

New title holders Andrew Grimason, Peter Rusk, Lydia Braniff and Cathy McAleer were also supported by Glentoran manager Paul Millar, Glenavon boss Jimmy Brown and former Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers. Click here to enlarge
Prokick Gym coach Billy Murray, who said: “Our visit to the City Hall in recognition of the city’s kickboxing champions was a first for the sport. Many great sportsmen and women have come through the doors and it’s a big boost for us to now have kickboxers listed among them.
“We have been literally kicking against the wind for many years trying to gain respect for kickboxing and the Lord Mayor has been a fantastic supporter during his term of office. He has attended shows and I’m sure he would agree that in return, our shows highlighted the positive attractions of Belfast and Northern Ireland."
During the recent trip to Scotland, east-Belfast man Andrew Grimason returned with a WKN world title while Peter Rusk became the new British cruiserweight champ. In December 2005, Belfast postal worker Lydia Braniff won a world title to add to her British, Irish and European belts and Cathy McAleer successfully defended her Celtic title.

Kickboxing shows in the city were also screened live across Europe on the Eurosport network and highlighted in the USA and Asia.
The kickboxers are preparing for their next venture, a Northern Ireland versus Switzerland showdown in Geneva on Saturday.
Andrew Grimason, Ian Young, Stuart Jess, world champ Gary Hamilton and Prokick’s adopted son, Scotland’s Alexander White, will travel to Switzerland.
"These are exciting times for kickboxing," added Murray.
"We had a massive success in 2005 and we will aim to top that in 2006. We have two more live dates with Eurosport and we are hopeful that Belfast will launch the European chapter of the World Combat League.
"Kids in Northern Ireland have been going wild about the wrestling shows in Belfast recently. Wait ‘til they see the WCL, it’s the next big thing."

Some other pictures form a great day at the city hall>>>>>>>>

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