A world champion kickboxer from Wales has been handed a financial boost to help others excel in the sport.

Daniel Huxtable, who won three gold medals at the Kickboxing World Championships while competing for Team Wales, owns and runs G&K Freestyle Karate and Kickboxing Academy in Gorseinon.

Persimmon Homes West Wales has stepped forward with a £1,000 donation, which will help pay for new kit and equipment for members.

Daniel, 23, who was called up to represent Team GB last year, said: “I am very grateful for this generous donation.”

“We currently have 450 members aged from four to 68, making us the biggest kickboxing club in the country.”

“Students come from all over Swansea, Gower, Llanelli, Neath and Ammanford.”

“We are committed to helping people achieve their potential in the sport and have had several students selected to represent Wales.”

Persimmon Homes is currently building close to G&K Freestyle Karate and Kickboxing Academy at its Parc Brynderi development in Llanelli.

And Daniel has recently taken the step onto the property ladder by buying at the site using the local authority’s shared equity scheme.

“I moved into my new home at the end of November,” he said. “It was the biggest decision of my life but I’m so glad I did it.”

“I went for a two-bedroom semi-detached property and, in fact, my mortgage now is less than the rent was when I was living in Gorseinon. It’s a really nice house.”

“The shared equity scheme means I own 51 per cent and the council owns 49 per cent. It was a great way for me to get onto the property ladder.”

Now settled in Llanelli and with the gym thriving, Daniel, who has been kickboxing since the age of six, is looking to the future.

He said: “The dream is for kickboxing to be accepted as an Olympic sport, but if that doesn’t happen I am very happy competing for Team GB and teaching kickboxing in the local community.”

There are still two, three and four-bedroom homes available at Parc Brynderi.