Each took it in turns to run into a kickboxing hall as a dare.

Luke Farrow was 12 at the time. It was the first step on a six-year battle towards a world kickboxing title.

MARK THOMPSON spoke to the champion kick boxer.



LUKE Farrow loves his sport.

But he's one of the most modest champions you could wish to meet.

"I would never have dreamt of winning a world and British championship," says the 18-year-old Hartlepool college student.

"I couldn't imagine getting to this level and I still find it hard to think of myself as a champ."

He may be a reluctant hero but it's easy to imagine why Luke is such a winner.

His philosophy on success is ... work, work, work.

It has been a busy year for the amateur fighter as he picked up the two big titles while working with his step-dad as a trainee plumber.

He said: "In life you only get out what you put in. I live by that and that's why I've been successful so far."

He definitely sticks to his motto as he boxes twice a week, kick boxes twice a week and has two weights sessions a week

"Then there's the running, working and home life," added the Peterlee boxer. It is not just his training that is regimented.

"Everyday I eat pretty much the same thing," said Luke.

"A few years ago I put on a few stone and I decided to cut back and be strict. Now I can't even eat chocolate, it just doesn't appeal to me any more."

He starts his day with six eggs on toast then eats two tuna sandwiches for dinner and a few bananas before heading to the gym.

After his workout he tucks into a bit of chicken with rice or potato before eating a bit of cottage cheese before bed.

Luke said: "I love the sport. Ever since I got involved in it I have enjoyed it and that to me is the main thing.

"I have given up a lot to do it but I'm happy and now the success is starting to arrive."

In August he won the kick boxing middle-weights in the 18 to 29-year-old division of the ISKA Martial Arts Open in Florida.

On his road to success he beat off contestants from Jamaica, South Africa and America to claim his international crown.

Only two weeks ago he added another title as he won the EMA British Championship in Chorley.

Luke, who lives with his mum Lynn, brother Lewis, 21, and step-dad Neil Watson at Tees Close, Peterlee, says his success is even greater because of his size.

Standing at only 5ft 6in and weighing in at 11st 7lbs, Luke is not the biggest fighter on the circuit.

"I am small, I'm nearly always the shortest at the competitions," said Luke.

"I think people take me for granted and they get a shock when they get in a ring with me, I'm a bit of a surprise package."Luke's step-dad's company, Watson's Waterworks, sponsors him to compete in meetings across the UK every month

"Luke also works for the plumbing company while attending Hartlepool College of FE once a week for his apprenticeship.He started Thai boxing when he was 12 and only moved to kick boxing two years ago but had already picked up three gold medals in his new sport before heading to the US.

Luke says he will never forget the night that got him into the sport.He said: "When I was 12 me and some mates were hanging about on the street outside a gym in Peterlee.

"I forget its name now but we were playing a daft game and kept running in and out and just being kids."Then the instructor walked out but instead of being mad he said 'why don't you come in and join in'. I did and haven't looked back since."

Now he is weighing up whether to turn professional while he continues to train tirelessly in the British Martial Arts and Kickboxing Academy (BMAKA) in Peterlee.

"There's not much money in kick boxing but I've started focusing more on boxing recently, I think there's a better career in that and I'm not too bad at it," added Luke.