Evolution's international success

Evolution Martial Arts Club in Hadfield have produced a number of talented martial artists over the past couple of years, with many competing in local, national, and international competitions.

One of their fight teams competed in the Revolution High Peak Championships back in July and came away with several gold and silver medals.

A large part of the success of the pupils is down to their teacher, and owner of the club, Kelly Buxton. Kelly has been involved in martial arts for 33 years and began training aged ten. She took up martial arts as a hobby initially, but her talent for both teaching and competing has allowed her to pursue a career in the sport.

Kelly opened Evolution Martial Arts club back in 2014, when she was made redundant from the gym she used to teach at. She saw that there was an appetite for martial arts among young people in the Glossop area, so she decided to open up her own gym, dedicated to martial arts. The club was first opened in Glossop, but Evolution now has a new home in Hadfield, where they plan to stay.   

Two types of martial arts are taught at the club, and they are kickboxing and freestyle sport karate. The club offers training every day except Sundays, which are usually reserved for competitions. With over 200 members, of all ages, it is a very inclusive club where everyone is welcome.

As mentioned, the club’s members have been having a lot of success in external competitions, including the Revolution High Peak Championships back in July. The seven-person team the club sent to compete in the event came away with ten medals in total, eight gold, and two silver, with only two of the seven members not earning a podium place at the Championships.

Despite experiencing fantastic regional success, the club’s best achievements this year have come on an international stage. Most notably, at the World Championships in Florida which Kelly attended back in October, along with daughter Madison and another one of the club’s members, Leah.

Madison is one of the most successful members at the club and has been training ever since the age of four. She won her first world title at last year’s World Championships, and came away from the tournament with three world titles in total.

Madison carried over her fantastic form into this year’s World Championships, coming away from the US with three more world titles, as did mum Kelly. Leah also came away with a silver medal in her first ever World Championship.  

Kelly is a very modest person, but admits she thought she had a good chance of coming home with a medal prior to the event, “I wouldn’t say I expected to win but I was very confident, I have won every World Championship I have entered since 2017”.

“As for Madison, she did very well in last season’s Championships but this year was a bit different for her as she went up to a new age group and weight category so we thought she might find it tricky.

“But in the end she did everyone proud and managed to bring home the medals.”

Kelly believes the achievements the club has made this year further highlight the opportunities that are available to young people, “I think kids are now starting to realise just how much they can achieve if they put the work in.

“We are celebrating our ten year anniversary next year and we’ve won 25 world titles so far, but most of these have been won by older people or teenagers so it’s lovely to see youngsters coming through with the desire to succeed and enter these international competitions”, she added.  

The club are always open to new members regardless of age or ability, so whether you’re looking to try out a new sport or continue your progression as a martial artist, get yourself down to one of the sessions. As mentioned, the sessions run every day except Sundays. To learn more about the club, or book a session, you can contact them on their Facebook page, Evolution Martial Arts, or visit their website: www.evolutionma.co.uk