HE IS not even in secondary school yet, but Joe Giles is already setting the martial arts world alight.
The 11-year-old from Hooley hopes to be a double black belt by the time he starts Warwick School in September, but will be forced to miss a couple of days at his new school in order to compete for a kickboxing world title in Poland in mid-September.
Joe was introduced to martial arts by his parents Faye and Terry when he was five, and six years later he is a black belt in kung fu, a double brown belt in kickboxing and has recently been called up to the Great Britain squad.
"Joe just loves it, it's his passion," his mother Faye explained. "He trains every day and I think you can only do that if it is something you love doing.
"Joe's dad and I are into martial arts and we introduced him to it when he was five, nearly six, and he took to it straight away.
"Other children are playing on their X-Box or are at the park and all Joe wants to do is get his next belts. He wants to do more taekwondo next."
Despite his tender years, Joe is already teaching martial arts, something he hopes to do full-time in the future.
"Joe goes to Phoenix Martial Arts Academy in Croydon and he teaches classes there for both children and adults," Faye said.
"I think some of the adults are a little bit shocked to be taught by an 11-year-old at first but it is a case of not judging a book by its cover. Joe loves being our little instructor and he's told us he wants his own academy when he grows up."
The next focus for Joe is the WAKO European Cadets & Juniors Championships in Poland in September, where the Woodcote Primary School pupil is targeting a title.
"Joe's aim was to get into the Great Britain squad and now he has done that he wants a WAKO title," Faye said.
"But it costs £1,700 so we are hoping to get some local businesses on board to share in Joe's success."
Anyone interested in sponsoring Joe should contact his father Terry on 07903 276743 or at TGiles@live.co.uk
