Ballymena siblings storm Europe as Lacey and “King Kain” bring home double championship glory

Winning: Boxing talent Kain Stewart from Ballymena

A brother and sister from Ballymena have returned from the WKO European Championships with multiple European titles after producing a series of dominant performances against some of the continent’s top young fighters.

Lacey Stewart and her younger brother Kain Stewart — already rapidly rising names in local combat sports — travelled to Barnsley representing Cuchulainn Combat Sports under Ballymena MMA figure Alan “Super Ali” Philpott and left with European championship belts, standing ovations and growing reputations far beyond Northern Ireland.

The remarkable weekend saw 12-year-old Lacey crowned WKO European K1 Novice Champion, while 10-year-old “King Kain” Stewart captured two European boxing titles after battling through a gruelling schedule of elite competition.

Lacey overwhelms English champion to claim European title

First into action was Dunclug College Year 8 pupil Lacey Stewart, who entered the K1 division carrying momentum from her recent WKA Northern Ireland success.

Standing across from the Ballymena fighter was the reigning WKO English Champion — a bout many viewed as a major test for the young competitor.

Instead, Lacey produced one of the standout performances of the championships.

Upcoming Ballymena boxing star Dunclug College Year 8 pupil Lacey Stewart

From the opening bell, she imposed herself with relentless pressure, landing heavy punches and sharp kicks that repeatedly forced her opponent backwards. The intensity of the attack almost resulted in a referee stoppage as Lacey controlled the contest from start to finish.

By the final bell, the result was never in doubt.

The judges awarded a unanimous decision victory, officially crowning the Ballymena schoolgirl WKO European K1 Novice Champion.

For local supporters following her rapid rise through the combat sports ranks, it marked another major step forward for one of the area’s most promising young talents.

“King Kain” lives up to the name

If Lacey’s performance set the tone, younger brother Kain ensured the Stewart family would leave Barnsley with even more silverware.

The Ballykeel Primary School P7 pupil entered the championships already carrying an extraordinary list of achievements for a 10-year-old fighter, including multiple WKA World and British titles.

But his latest challenge was among the toughest yet.

Kain faced a multi-time world champion known as “The Psycho” in the boxing division — a contest that could easily have intimidated many young fighters.

Instead, the Ballymena youngster delivered what spectators described as a masterclass.

Boxing talent Kain Stewart from Ballymena

Using lightning-fast counter punching, sharp movement and intelligent angle changes, Kain systematically broke down his opponent throughout the contest. His composure and ring intelligence drew praise from officials at ringside as he secured the WKO European Boxing Championship.

The performance earned applause from judges and referees alike and reinforced why the young fighter has become one of the most talked-about youth competitors on the local combat sports scene.

Fighting through defeat to secure a second European crown

Kain’s championship weekend was far from straightforward.

After suffering a razor-thin defeat in an intense K1 battle on Saturday afternoon, the young fighter faced a quick turnaround heading into Sunday’s high-stakes boxing competition.

Rather than letting the setback derail his weekend, Kain responded emphatically.

In the semi-final, he stormed through his opponent — a former European kickboxing champion — dropping him multiple times with slick combinations and aggressive forward pressure to comfortably book his place in the final.

Awaiting him there was newly crowned European kickboxing champion Emilis Melinis.

Again, Kain rose to the occasion.

Using his long reach, clever feints and explosive counter attacks, he controlled the bout and produced another commanding display. The judges delivered a unanimous verdict in his favour, sealing his second European boxing title of the weekend.

The victory completed a remarkable championships for the Stewart siblings and added further momentum to Ballymena’s growing reputation within combat sports circles.

Ballymena’s young fight talent continues to grow

Boxing talent Kain Stewart from Ballymena

The success of Lacey and Kain Stewart is likely to generate even more excitement around the local fight scene, particularly with increasing attention on young athletes emerging from clubs across County Antrim.

Representing Cuchulainn Combat Sports under Alan Philpott, the pair’s achievements on a European stage underline the strength of grassroots talent developing in Ballymena and the wider area.

For two young fighters still at primary and early secondary school age, the scale of what they achieved in Barnsley is difficult to ignore.

And after a weekend that saw them conquer some of Europe’s elite young competitors, the Stewart siblings are returning home not just with belts — but with rapidly growing reputations as two of Northern Ireland’s brightest combat sports prospects.