King Kain crowned WKO Grand Champion after outstanding 2025 season

Ballymena’s young star Kain Stewart, presented with the WKO Grand Champion belt, alongside medals and certificates, which were presented by WKO UK President Jon Green

Ballymena’s rising star Kain Stewart, aged 10 and from Foxton Wood Square, has capped off an extraordinary year by being crowned WKO Grand Champion at the WKO Grand Prix awards ceremony in Barnsley on Saturday evening, 29 November.

Kain’s dominance throughout the season saw him rise to the top of the 10–11-year-old, -25kg rankings in both Boxing and K1, securing his place as one of the most exciting young combat sports athletes in the UK and Ireland.

A Year of Exceptional Achievements

Among the highlights of Kain’s phenomenal 2025 season was his success in the WKO British Championships, where he stepped up two weight classes and defeated the reigning WKO European and World Champion to claim the British K1 title — an achievement that stunned spectators and officials alike.

At the Grand Prix ceremony, Kain was officially awarded the WKO Grand Champion belt, alongside medals and certificates, which were presented by WKO UK President Jon Green in recognition of his unrivalled points tally across the K1 and Boxing divisions.

Ballymena’s Kain Stewart, with WKO UK President Jon Green

In a surprise moment that drew widespread applause, Kain also received a special honour — the 2025 WKO “Favourite Fighter Award.”

The accolade, decided from among thousands of competitors across the WKO association, celebrates a fighter who embodies exceptional talent, sportsmanship, and fan admiration. For Kain, it was an unforgettable and unexpected personal milestone.

Preparing for a Huge 2026 Season

The momentum shows no signs of slowing as the young Ballymena fighter looks ahead to an action-packed 2026.

Kain is set to represent Team Great Britain at the WKO World Championships, hosted in the UK in July. He will travel with his father — who also serves as his coach — and begin GB squad training sessions from January.

Before that, he will compete at the WKO European Championships in May across both the Boxing and K1 categories. According to his father, while kickboxing has been a strong platform for development, it is Kain’s “outstanding boxing skills” that consistently set him apart in top-level competition.

In September 2026, Kain will take an important next step in his career as he begins competing in Irish amateur boxing, a move expected to further showcase his technical maturity and fight intelligence.

With a year of remarkable triumphs behind him and major opportunities on the horizon, 2026 is shaping up to be another defining chapter for King Kain — a young champion whose talent, discipline, and determination continue to capture attention across the combat sports world.