During our three lockdown periods over the past 14 months there were understandable concerns for sporting clubs, gymnasiums and martial art centres as they had to adapt the way they provide a service to the public.

This led to online training, which was extremely successful and helped all members to continue their training while at home.

Online training not only helped members, but recruitments came from people that found themselves struggling with mental health issues and needed something to focus on.

Impact Kickboxing provided a vital service, delivering something for people to focus on and channel their energy into from the comfort and safety of own homes. The outcome was that the sport has grown even more since the lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

Parents are delighted to see the doors back open as they said their children were finding it difficult to motivate themselves from home. One commented: ’They have been so excited to return to the club and see all their friends and instructors.’

In relation to travel, Impact Kickboxing has arranged to run lockdown competitions at the club to give all students something to look forward to.

The World Kickboxing and Karate Championships were scheduled to take place in Portugal this October, which a Manx team was set to attend.

This has been cancelled, so Impact Kickboxing used its own initiative to set up local competitions now the lockdown has been lifted, with events sanctioned by the world governing body, WKA.

The competitions are taking place every three months and the winner of the last one, becoming the WKA Isle of Man Champion, was Scott MacDuffie.

Martial arts has helped people massively over the years and the lockdown has made them realise how much this really does help them both physically and mentally.

Impact Kickboxing was supported by Jaks Smokehouse, Barbary Coast and A&J Butchers throughout the pandemic.

David Pearson invites anyone wishing to join the club or get involved with martial arts, to give them a call on 259259 or follow Impact Kickboxing on Facebook.

All its instructors are fully qualified, DBS checked and all have a black belt, so children will be training in a safe environment with a fully-qualified instructor.

l The club is planning to travel to the 2022 world championships in Italy so is inviting all youths and adults with an interest in martial arts to join the team and get the opportunity to represent the Isle of Man at international level.