Students at a martial arts school have been selected to join Team GB in the world championships of stick fighting.

The members of Family Martial Arts, in Gravesend, only picked up the sport two years ago but have rapidly become some of the best in the country.

Stick fighting is a form of martial arts which uses slender, wooden sticks, similar to batons, for fighting.

It usually involves one-to-one combat with competitors wearing some form of protective headgear, face shields, padded armour and gloves.

Rounds only last two minutes and fighters are scored on where they make contact with another player such as arm, leg, torso or head and by disarming them.

Louis Tandoh, who is chief instructor at the school in Brewhouse Yard, started stick fighting when he was 14 and has learnt from different masters across the world.

He said: “The sport was dying but I did not want it to because of what it has given me so I told my students about it.

“They wanted to give it a go and they were some of the only competitors doing it for a while.

“Now, more people have started learning it. The moment you get in there, it is ridiculous fun.”

Louis, along with students Tarran Photay, Coby Blackstock, Dante Chapman, Kenzie Standen and Vinder Briah, have since been selected by Team GB to compete in the Global Stick and Blade Alliance’s world championship in Poland.

He added: “There are moments in life where you are proud and when I read their names on the list I started tearing up.

“I was just so chuffed. They put in all the work. They did it and I am proud of them.”

Student Vinder added: “It is definitely a big achievement. When we heard our names, we were chuffed to bits.

“I did not think we were going to get into the championships so I could not believe it when I heard.”

However, some of the students might not be able to compete due to the cost of accommodation, flights and entry fees.

Louis is hoping to be able to fund the group’s trip, which is thought to cost around £2,500 in total, with corporate sponsorship.

He said: “Some of our members are struggling with the money. I wanted to do all I could to help and get them to the championship.

“There is one thing training as a team but then there is competing in one and being part of Team GB.

“These types of opportunities do not come around that often and most people do not get a chance to do it.

“Everyone is struggling so I did not want to ask family and friends so would like to seek sponsorship.”

If you are interested in getting involved with funding, contact Family Martial Arts on 01474 326967 or by emailing fmaaf@aol.com.