Bella James, Charli Butler, Kayla Henry, Keilana Henry, Blake Taylor and Charli Davies are part of a strong Australian Martial Arts team that will compete at the 2025 World Championships in Japan later this year.

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They will be joined by their martial arts instructor and assistant national team coach Steve Wheatland, a decorated warrior on the international scene.

All hail from the Fit2Fight Martial Arts School at Raymond Terrace.

Wheatland told News Of The Area that the selection of six of his students in the Australian team was a “culmination of hard training and sheer commitment”.

“These young and mature students have worked extremely hard to reach this standard, and their families, friends and the local community are very proud of what they have all achieved.

“For our national team, this is a wonderful opportunity to compete against the best on the international martial arts stage.”

Touring captain Bella James of Mallabula, is a five-time national champion and a current world champion at the age of 13.

The Hunter River High School student, who has been trained by Wheatland at his Raymond Terrace school since the age of seven, claimed her first points contact world title at last year’s championships in Japan.

Charli Butler, an outstanding 10-year-old prospect, earned a silver medal at the 2024 World Championships for her two-minute free sparring alongside 12-year-old sibling Kaliyah.

Competing in the 70kg division, Wheatland collected a bronze medal in the full contact discipline along with Konrad Thomas (80kg division).

Four of the Fit2Fight national representatives – Kayla Henry, 39, 15-year-old Keilana Henry, 17-year-old Blake Taylor and 10-year-old pocket dynamo Charli Davies, will be making their world championships debut at Ito City in November.

A trivia night has been organised on Saturday 5 April at the martial arts school in Port Stephens Street, Raymond Terrace, from 6.30pm, to help raise funds for the national representatives.

Fit2Fight caters to individuals of all ages and offers a diverse range of classes including taekwondo, self defence, kickboxing, sparring, Little Ninjas, gymnastics and Live Stronger training for over 60s.

The programs emphasise fitness, strength training, positive mental health and self-confidence.

By Chris KARAS