No easy options for a family of fighters

They pride themselves on providing a first-rate standard of coaching, in order to develop future European and world champions in kickboxing and boxing.

The centre in Forge Lane, Dudley is run by Jason Charlesworth and his wife, Julie. Their two children, Reuben, aged 18, and 13-year-old Kiyra also live and breathe martial arts.

Jason, when he was aged six, was told by doctors he would probably never be able to walk due to having Perthes disease, a condition where the top of the thigh bone softens and breaks down.

He would defy the odds though to become a sixth-Dan black belt and Great Britain coach.

Teaching since 1993, and on a full-time basis for the last 10 years, he explained how combat sport has been ingrained in him for many years.

Jason said: "I boxed, I moved from Birmingham to Redditch. I did karate, then taekwando and then got into kickboxing, which is how I met my wife, Julie.

"I had classes in Redditch, opened a club in Lower Gornal and then moved to Halesowen."

Julie is nothing short of an expert in martial arts as well – a fifth Dan black belt, Great Britain ladies coach, three-time world champion, five-time European champion and 20-time British champion.

She offers one-to-one training for ladies and trains young girls as well.

Due to Jason and Julie's undeniable commitment and expertise in martial arts, many may think their children would have probably followed suit from an early age.

While Reuben and Kiyra did try their hand early on, Jason insists they did not have much of an interest for a long time.

He said: "They never really showed any interest, to be honest. Reuben started when he was three but then lost interest and stopped.

"Like most kids, he was into other things like football but then he started again when he was about eight as some of his friends started doing karate and were taking black belts.

"Kiyra, I would say, has only really started properly in the last three months."

Now, Reuben's list of accolades is remarkable, especially considering he is only 18.

In kickboxing, he is an eight-time world champion, four-time world team champion, three-time European champion and a nine-time British champion.

In boxing, he has a record of four fights, four wins. He is sponsored by a number of companies, including German sportswear giants Adidas.

Kiyra recently won the WAKO European Junior Cup, and Jason said: "She's through the roof now. She's took to it and loves it, but it's early doors.

"She won the WAKO European Junior Cup, which is a big thing. "I think that was the hardest day of fighting that I have ever seen her at."

Jason and Julie not only take pride in their children's achievements, but those of every person who steps through the door at Halesowen Martial Arts.

Some students may achieve national, continental or world success, while others may be looking to just improve their fitness levels.

Jason said: "I had to stop kickboxing when I was 23 and then I went on to teach, I was nothing like these guys.

"When I used to fight, it was all open weight as well but now it's a lot more strict of course. I applaud all of them for what they're doing."

The centre is open from 7am until 10pm from Monday to Friday, and from 7am until 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Jason insists his, and his family's, love for martial arts is as strong as ever. He added: "Roughly there will be around 200 people a week through the doors.

"We teach them the traditional side of martial arts and I would like to think that parents know if their child gets a black belt here, they have earned it.

"For 10 years we have been teaching full-time and we love the sport. I've got a metal hip replacement, but we always want to go down there and teach them, to train.

"We love what we do and I think if you find a job you love, life is easy."

If you would like to get involved, visit www.hmacmidlands.com.