Future is bright for Offaly Kickboxer who caps impressive year with high-profile victory

Offaly Kickboxer James Brazil capped an outstanding year full of success and achievements with an impressive win over Tipperary's Tommy Powell in a highly-anticipated bout in Navan. 

The two gold medalists faced off in a fiercely contested match at the Nemesis event in O'Mahony's GAA Club on February 1, where James emerged victorious with his pressure, speed, skill and range of combinations proving decisive on the day. 

The remarkable victory against Powell was a result of all the prior hard work and success as James continues to excel within the sport. 

James is part of the Underground Kickboxing Club in Tullamore and is thriving under the mentorship of his coach Dawid Rusiniak.

The 15-year-old previously competed at the WKO (World Kickboxing Organisation) Championships at the Metrodome in Barnsley last August. 

He delivered a standout performance at the championships winning gold and becoming Underground's first-ever world champion, securing the title with a pivotal third-round TKO.

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James followed up on this success just a matter of weeks later as he once again won gold at the National Championships at Limerick Combat Gym in September, 2025. 

The prolific young kickboxer delivered a flawless performance on his journey to victory winning every round in each of his three fights which earned both his own and Underground Gym's first national title. 

James will now look to continue his run of success throughout 2026 which will include retaining his national title. 

All of these momentous achievements indicate that James has an exceptionally bright future ahead of him in the sport.