A business student at Suffolk New College is gearing up to fight for the world championships in kickboxing. 

Martin Dimitrov, 19, is set to take part in the International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA) Midland Open at the North Solihull Leisure Centre on May 26. 

This is a major tournament for the business student, who is from Ipswich, because if he wins a medal at the event he will be given a chance to go to Vienna in Austria and fight for a world championship belt.

He said: “I spoke to my coach after getting an email from ISKA asking if I could travel to near Birmingham for this tournament - and I couldn’t say no.

"I’m determined to medal and qualify for tournaments in Vienna (and other European locations) and I’m training hard."

He described the contest in Vienna as potentially the "biggest fight of my life", should he qualify.

Ipswich Star: He described going the contest in Vienna as the biggest fight of his life.He described going the contest in Vienna as the biggest fight of his life. (Image: Suffolk New College)

Dimitrov is originally from Bulgaria and has been studying at Suffolk New College, which he praised for its support and the opportunity it has given him to pursue his endeavours in the sport. 

After college, he wishes to pursue a law degree at university.

He has participated as a kickboxer for a few years and has already won two European titles and a world title in Barnsley last year. 

The teenager has been featured in several news reports and said that the recognition from him has helped motivate him to take his kickboxing further. 

If he is successful at securing a place for Vienna at the end of the month, Dimitrov plans to go and train in Thailand over the summer. 

Head of marketing at Suffolk New College, Craig Shimmon, said: “Martin’s story is inspirational.

"He is a great student and we are backing him for glory.”