By PETER DOUGLAS
LILYDALE-based Lightning Fight Centres was one of the stand-out clubs at the recent Fitness and Health Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The three-day event covered many sports, including the Arnold Classic Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Tournament, which attracted competitors nationwide.
On hand to witness their achievements was none other than the man himself, actor and one-time bodybuilding superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Eight boxers from the club competed, taking home 10 gold and two silver medals.
Club trainer Nick Lundh, himself a kickboxing champion, said he couldn’t be more pleased.
“This has been an exceptionally successful event and I’m not sure if these results have been achieved from any other club,” he said.
Mr Lundh said the boxers from the area are proving to be highly talented.
“Our club in Lilydale would have to be the busiest fight gym in Australia, promoting more than 10 amateur events and four professional events every year, just out of Lilydale,” he said.
“The fighters regularly travel for competitions all over the state, around the country and even overseas.”
Among the stars for the Lilydale club was Jai Doolan, 12, who took out the gold medal in the Sub-Juniors Light Fly Weight Division by a walkover.
Harrison Wall won gold in the Junior Light Weight Division, also claiming gold in a walkover in the Junior Welter Weight Division.
Ryan Harford won a close fight in the Junior Welter Weight Division and won gold, while Ky Hodgson put on a fantastic display to win gold in the Junior Middle Weight Division.
Others to excel were Tiff Van Horick (gold in the Female Light Middle Weight Division), Lochie Clavant (gold in Intermediate Light Welter Weight Division), Alan Harford (gold in the Middle Weight Division) and Shaun Ferris (gold in Heavy Weight Division).
