Despite being thousands of miles from home – and from his coach – the keen youngster never stopped his training during the trip of a lifetime that started in Sydney and took in the Gold Coast.

Dylan takes some time out from his training to feed kangaroos at an Australian Zoo established by Steve Irwin“He’s a fantastic kid and he has an incredible will to achieve in the sport,” said Murray. “But even I was surprised to see that he wasn’t letting his dedication to sport slide for even a second, despite being in one the best places in the world.

"His father tells me that on a trip to the Australia Zoo, established by the late Steve Irwin but now run by his wife, Dylan was still practising his high-kicks.

"I suppose there is no better place to practice kickboxing kicks than amongst all those kangaroos."

 "He has a dedication that would put many senior members to shame.”

Dylan is now back to his regular training with the east Belfast gym and already won this weeks most sought after trophy in kickboxing – the Brooklands cup!