Jason gets his kicks with two adult titles

A LAST-minute category change paid off for a young kickboxer who has been crowned double adult world champion at just 17-years-old.

A few days before departing for the World Championships in Rome, Jason Cracknell discovered there were not enough people for his category to go ahead and that in order to compete he would have to move up to the adult section.

Coach Murdo Mackenzie, at Sansum Black Belt Academy in Forres, showed faith in the youngster believing he was capable of competing at a higher level.

In Jason's first semi-final he was drawn against a French competitor who he managed to beat within the two, winning by a clear 15 points.

This put him into the final against fellow team-mate Stuart Kid and led to a showdown between the two of them with Jason coming out on top. In the second semi-final in a weight category above his own he came up against an Italian competitor who he again beat within the two rounds leaving him in his second final of the day against a multiple world champion English kickboxer.

This turned into a battle with the points going one way then the other and by the end of the first round Jason was trailing by a single point.

In the second round Jason showed spirit and determination which was rewarded with him pulling level and then edging in front with 30 seconds of the second round remaining.

From there he was able to pick his shots and went a further two points in front winning the World Championship.

Head coach of the WKA Scotland team in Rome, Andy McCracken said: "This year Jason was asked to be part of the Scottish coaching team and his contribution has been helpful and appreciated. Our faith in Jason this year has been rewarded with him winning the WKA/ISO World Championships in Rome. What an achievement having to move up to the adult sections at only 17 years old, he fought with great maturity and skill."

Jason was selected for the Scotland Team at the beginning of the year by the WKA Scotland coaches. And shortly after was asked to become a Junior Coach for the Scotland Team and help in the training of the team heading out to Rome.

The Culloden Academy pupil has also been asked to give a demonstration and talk to the pupils of his previous primary school, Duncan Forbes in Inverness.

Jason was delighted with his performance and thanked all the coaches, team mates, sensei's, teachers, friends and people who have supported him on this journey. Also, all those who supported him financially through sponsorship, grants and fundraisers.