Carlisle Muay Thai gym champions much more than fighting and fitness

Dragon's Gym, located on Lorne Street, specialises in Muay Thai boxing which is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.

Matty McLeish is a coach at the gym and has also taught plastering and construction skills at Carlisle College for 20 years.

For Matty, the purpose of Dragon's Gym goes much further than just honing the skills of prize fighters.

He said: "It's just about building the confidence up of the actual person themselves because some kids come in here, adults as well, with no confidence.

"The confidence it brings them and the community and the spirit in there, it is a family gym.

"We are all-inclusive, everybody looks out for everybody else, we go to the fights together, we go and share meals together and it's a good social gathering."

This sense of community which is cultivated within the gym's walls benefits all members regardless of their Muay Thai pedigree with the perfect example of this being Nathan Williamson.

Thursday, July 27 marked Nathan's second session back at the gym after an accident that saw him lose all mobility in both legs.

When training at home Nathan's spine collapsed, leaving him in need of emergency surgery, however, this accident has not dampened his love for the sport and he spoke about how the spirit and togetherness of the gym coupled with the mentality it inspires, helped him recover.

He simply said: "Anyone can train hard if they have got the mindset."

In tandem with these community goals, the gym also undeniably produces world-class fighters such as Matty Wrightson who recently claimed a landmark career victory over in Thailand.

A training session takes place at Dragon's Gym (Image: Newsquest)

Matty McLeish Junior is also a rising local star.

At 17 he is undefeated in 11 fights and set for a national title bout in October and he explained why he is passionate about the sport.

He said: "I love this sport because it is not something that everybody can do.

"I think it was the physical part of it, the hitting, the elbowing, the kneeing because I tried karate and that was just standing and shadow boxing pretty much but the physical hitting and getting the workout and getting the anger out.

"I think it might be a bit harsh but anyone can play tennis or badminton but Thai boxing, martial arts in general it's a much harder thing to do."