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More on KentOnline
When martial arts enthusiast Kayne Isaac broke his ankle, he was told by doctors not to even think about going back to the gym for at least 18 months.
Two months later the Gillingham teenager was back training wearing a plaster cast and with four pins and screws in his right foot.
And, to defy the odds even further, he has just won his first national title by being crowned amateur flyweight in mixed martial arts.
Spurred on by his success, the 19-year-old plans to turn professional next year and has set his sights on big purse fights all over the world.
The former Howard School, Rainham, pupil broke and dislocated his right ankle in March after an awkward fall.
Kayne, of Devonshire Road, said: “I was still feeling drowsy after the operation but I got onto crutches as soon as possible.
"At first there was a lot of negativity around me but I told myself 'you can do this'.”
He returned to the Granite Gym, which is in the former St Bart’s Chapel in Rochester, and, under the watchful eye of head coach Chris Garnett, slowly got back into his manoeuvres.
His first big fight was in Portsmouth on Saturday, the Shock N Awe event, where more than 20 of the UK’s top amateur competitors squared off for the coveted belt.
Kayne saw off rival Billy Clarke in a matter of seconds.
He was introduced to MMA by his mother, Karla, at the age of five and became hooked on "the buzz, adrenalin and self-discipline".
He said: “I used to play a bit of football but I enjoy it (MMA) and decided to channel all my efforts into it.”
Concerned by the increase in knife crime, Kayne would like to encourage more young people to get off the streets and into the gym.
He said: “It’s getting ridiculous. Councils and charities should be spending more time and effort making people aware of knife crime.”
His mum and step-dad, Dave, are enormously supportive of his quest to get to the top of his game and he has introduced his brother Sonny, 10, to the gym in Gundulph Road where he puts in up to four hours every day of the week.
Coach Chris explained Kayne’s nickname Kill Switch, which is emblazoned on the back of his shirt.
He said: “I have known Kayne since he was seven and he’s a fighter.
“If somebody fights Kayne, his kill switch kicks in.
“To see what he has done is just amazing.”
