Peter Gale, a promising kickboxer from Hartlepool, is setting his sights on a glorious summer by clinching both an English and European title.
The talented student from Hartlepool College of Further Education, who already boasts a world belt he claimed at the age of just 14, has long-term aspirations of becoming a mixed martial arts (MMA) star. Peter, who competes for Phoenix Kickboxing Hartlepool, on the Headland, is balancing an intense training regime with his Level 3 Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services at Hartlepool College.
Peter said: “I am slowly transitioning over to MMA. For now, I want to achieve everything I can in kickboxing and I want to win the English Open Light Contact area title on June 15. I am hoping to get a European title shot after that.” While his professional fighting career is his main goal, he likes the idea of becoming a firefighter should the professional fighting world not quite pay the bills.
Peter, who turns 17 in July, attended Manor Community Academy and Rossmere Primary before joining Hartlepool College last September where he has studied under the guidance of lecturers Dan Farman, Craig Scorer and Paul McCulley.
Gary Riches, Vice Principal of External Relations at Hartlepool College, said: “Peter’s story shows the power of hard work, focus and resilience. He’s making impressive strides in kickboxing while staying committed to his education. We’re proud to support him on his journey and it’s clear he has the mindset to succeed in whatever path he chooses, inside or outside of the ring - Peter has the potential to reach the very top, just like former Hartlepool College student Savannah Marshall."
And Peter added: “I am focused on sport and my dream is to go pro, but I know you need an education to fall back on and I also like the idea of firefighting. I am enjoying the course. There are a lot of fitness parts I can learn from and that is a help too. I am really focusing on the firefighting element from the course. I head to the gym to train on a night after my courses on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Fights are on a weekend. It’s a hard schedule but I love it.”
Peter’s journey in kickboxing began at the tender age of six. His passion for the sport was ignited through his father, Peter, who worked with his coach, Stephen Sewell. Peter Jnr, who is also coached by Dave Mathwin, Alisha Stevenson and Dan Briggs, said: "It was a taekwondo club at the time, slowly started to change over. I was one of the first to fight in kickboxing, it went from there, and I started to get title fights.”
His early competitive days were not always winning ones. However, his determination propelled him to new heights. Peter began to compete in larger organisations like World Kickboxing Organisation (WKO), where Phoenix Kickboxing was invited to competitions in Barnsley, and the belts started to arrive after claiming his maiden English Open triumph. World Kickboxing Technology Association (WKTA) soon invited him to compete and that led to his qualification to fight in Italy in 2019 as well as training with the England squad in Manchester.
Peter said: “The club played a massive part in raising money for these events. I got third in Italy, but getting a medal there meant I was recognised. Promoters wanted me on their shows. In 2023 I went the full year unbeaten and I picked up five titles. That followed on from me winning the world title in Barnsley in 2021 against a Scottish lad. It was a WKO World Championships Open.”
Peter’s ambitions, supported by main sponsor JP’S Bar, have soared ever since, with a WTKA Championship hopefully on the horizon as well as a title fight with a cash prize looming in York in June.
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