A BRADFORD secondary school has a world champion kickboxer on its staff, after its Year 7 leader trounced the competition in an international tournament.

Robbie Kennedy started working at Carlton Bolling College as a year leader in September, already with the WKC world title in the +90kg class.

And earlier this month the 28 year old from Wibsey defended that title in a hard fought tournament in Dublin, where he faced off against fighters from across the globe.

Although his previous career as a postman meant he was used to early mornings, Mr Kennedy still had to wake in the early hours to get plenty of training in before starting his day offering support to pupils at the Undercliffe school.

The title is defended in a tournament over several days. His previous tournament was in Florida last year, and when he defends his title next year the tournament will also be taking place in the sunshine state.

He said: “I was facing off against kickboxers from all over the world, I fought against people from Germany and Canada.

“I fought the same person in the final this year as last year. It was a tough battle as he was seeking revenge and I was looking to retain my title.

“Before the tournament I was up training at 5am before going into school.

“Despite having the title I think a lot of the Year 7s probably want to fight me.

“My first fight was only in 2012, and then three years later I had won the championship. It was a big achievement.”

School head Adrian Kneeshaw said: “It does a lot for our pupils expectations having a world champion. He is a great role model.”

Mr Kennedy, a former pupil of St Bede’s School, is expected to play a role in the soon to open boxing gym at the school, which will be based in the former Duke of Edinburgh centre on the school site.

The gym will be open to the wider community as well as pupils, and Mr Kennedy said: “I look forward to it opening, and hopefully some of the young people there can become the next champions.”

Mr Kennedy has to fund his own travel to the tournaments and is looking for sponsorship for his title defence next year, which takes place in the US. Anyone wanting to sponsor him can contact the school.