A young Dromore boy is making waves on the world stage after claiming two more world titles at the WKU World Championships in Germany — bringing his total haul to an incredible six world titles in 2025 alone.
Nine-year-old Kian McAviney, a P5 pupil at St Colman’s Primary School, stepped onto the mats in Trier – the aptly named German city – as part of the Northern Ireland National Team, competing against more than 2,500 martial artists from across the globe.
Remarkably, the first day of competition also marked Kian’s ninth birthday — and he celebrated it in style, kicking off the tournament with a win that set the tone for an unforgettable week.
He went on to secure two world titles, alongside a silver medal in Kumite and a bronze medal in another category. The triumphs add to four previous world titles won earlier this year, spanning three separate federations.
Kian, who competes in the Under-12 -25kg category, has faced elite opponents from Russia, Germany, the USA, South Africa, and beyond — consistently showing composure, courage, and skill well beyond his years.
One of his toughest battles came in the Light Kick Division, where he fought through several intense qualifying rounds before defeating a Russian opponent in the final by unanimous decision after two rounds. His performance even caught the attention of the German National Coach, who praised Kian’s ability and fighting spirit, describing him as having “a big future in the sport”.
Kian trains three to four nights a week at Full Circle Martial Arts Belfast under Head Coach Patrick Rice, whose guidance and dedication have helped shape his technical and physical development. He also hones his skills at Evolve Martial Arts Portadown, where coach Jade Hawthorne has played a key role in his growth and confidence.
Reflecting on his son’s latest success, Kian’s father, Kevin, said: “Kian has made huge sacrifices to compete at world level, and his modesty, dedication, and passion never fail to amaze me and his mum, Karla. The thing Kian is most looking forward to now is getting back to his football with local team Dromore Amateurs, where he plays in the 2016s. Due to his World Championship training camp, he hasn’t been able to play since the start of the season.”
With six world titles already to his name and more challenges ahead, Kian is now preparing for next year’s World Championships in Abu Dhabi, with qualifiers set to begin in January.
It’s been a phenomenal year for the young Dromore fighter — and one that hints at an even brighter future on the global martial arts stage.
