York St John University student, Ben Rigby celebrated a gold medal in the British Muay Thai University Championship.

Rigby competed in the male 18+ years and 63.6 – 67kg weight category at the Edge Sports Centre in Leeds.

The British Championship category featured students from Loughborough University, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Hull.

Teammates said Rigby’s success was down to his intensive training technique which enabled him to succeed in the qualifying bout and the final.

He described the competition and club as “an amazing experience [and is] grateful to be a part of it.”

Muay Thai is translated as “Thai boxing”, and is recognised as a martial art and sport that originated in the 13th century.

Known as the art of eight limbs, it is a full-contact combat sport that uses techniques such as stand-up striking, sweeps and clinching.

As the national sport of Thailand, it is evidence of the body’s powerful potential in combat as well as discipline and artistry rooted in the country’s traditions.

The event featured 25 Universities and 210 athletes competing at all levels in three divisions – Novice, Freshers Pathway and British Championship.

Nine students from York participated on Saturday, 1st March, scattered over all three categories.

This led to York St John’s athletes receiving two silver medals and two bronze along with their gold on Saturday.

The only two female competitors on the team, Charlotte Ferraris and Meg Giles, earned silver medals in different weight categories in the Novice division.

However, neither match made it to the end following injuries in the first round.

York St John Muay Thai team finished eighth – a major improvement after coming last in the 2024 competition with just a silver and bronze medal.