One of Walton Kickboxing Club’s most successful fighters in its long history has returned to take over as chief instructor.

Former European IKA Full Contact Super-Middleweight Champion Mark Lodge, who was also a challenger for the ISKA Super-Middleweight World Title in the 1990s, recently returned from living and working in Spain, where he set up a kickboxing school.

Lodge has been running the Walton club since November and has taken over from Keith Betts, who was his trainer and manager throughout his illustrious kickboxing career.

Betts, who has been with the club for 17 years, will assist Lodge with the development of the club.

Walton Kickboxing Club has six fighters about to participate in competitions over the coming months.

A black belt first dan, Lodge is keen to continue their proud record, with the club having produced more than 50 full contact and light contact national champions.

Lodge himself won three national and two European titles.

The club trains at Hersham Village Hall on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.