NAME              T.J. Everett
AGE                13
NATIONALITY   Scottish
WEIGHT          34 kg (as of October  2011)
GYM                Eclipse Muay Thai
TRAINER          Keith McLachlan
CHAMPIONS     STBA Scottish
                       SFMA Scottish
                       CCC Celtic
                       GBMTO British
                       Goldenbelt British
                       UKMF British
                       WKA British Open  (x 2)
                       Celtic Challenge 8-man     
                       tournament

When Billionmore sponsored the Celtic Challenge 8-man tournament for youngsters up to 34 kg at Barnsley on September 3rd, T.J. Everett, with eight junior title belts to his credit, was one of the favourites to carry off the title. Sure enough: after fighting with great control through the first two rounds, he managed to blunt the aggression of Wigan’s Kai Laithwaite in the final. Kai, who had totally dominated his previous two opponents, ran TJ close, but it was the canny and experienced Scots fighter who won on points.

Despite his young age, TJ is certainly experienced. Training since he was 8 and with his first fight as far back as 2007, he has not only picked up any number of titles, but beaten some highly rated and extremely capable fighters in the process:  Danny Hendle (WKA British Open), Connor Butler (Goldenbelt) and Evan Jays (UKMF),  among others. In the future he hopes to move on to Commonwealth, European and World titles as a junior – which certainly seems achievable. After that, as a senior, he would like to fight in Thailand and get recognition as one of the top UK talents. Currently a pupil at Cathkin High School, enjoying PE and Drama (both highly appropriate to Muay Thai!), TJ’s ambition outside of Muay Thai is to be an electronics engineer.