Edinburgh 14-year-old twins take on the globe to win kickboxing world titles
Arran and Freya have gone from training in a Granton industrial estate to beating world-class opponents in Venice
A pair of 14-year-old twins from Granton have become kickboxing world champions after facing off against “top dogs” from around the globe.
Arran and Freya Drever fought off tough competition to take home the top titles in their categories, having taken up the sport aged eight at classes in a Waterfront industrial estate.
Mum Hollie started taking them to Wolfpack Martial Arts to introduce them to self-defence and “keep them keen” and the pair quickly excelled, with Freya in particular quickly finding success.
She has been a fixture of both the podium and Team GB for the last four years and is the current European and world champion in point fighting, the kickboxing discipline in which they both compete.
For her brother Arran, the path to world champion status has been a little less straightforward.
Hollie said: “They’re not competitive with each other because they don’t have to be because they’re in different divisions. Arran has probably had to have a bit more resilience and drive because my daughter has found success slightly quicker.
“It’s not that her job is easier but there’s fewer girls in the sport so she gets to that podium just a little bit easier than my son does so he’s probably a little competitive so they can bask in the same glory.”
After failing to make Team GB’s squad last year, Arran was “determined” to make the squad this year and did so by becoming British champion this spring.
Freya has also had a “super tough year” after having to have a procedure before being diagnosed with coeliac disease.
“It’s amazing, I’m so proud of them and their work effort and their commitment and they’re doing well,” Hollie said.
Kickboxing’s Youth World Championships, which alternate each year with the European Championships, took place on the outskirts of Venice at the end of September.
The family travel to Europe three to four times a year to ensure the siblings can compete at some of the best competitions in Europe and have to foot the bill themselves.
Hollie added: “It’s double the cost and they’re both doing so well you’re constantly trying to get to those ranking competitions all over Europe. It’s lots of overtime.
“It's all self-funded or sponsorship if you're lucky enough to beg and plead and have someone you know who can help sponsor your kids or your team, which sadly has not happened for us.”
While the sport’s body, the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO), is recognised by the International Olympic Committee, it is not yet an Olympic sport meaning athletes miss out on the potential funding that status could bring.
At just 14, the pair have plenty of time to decide what the future holds. Arran already sees kickboxing as something he wants to pursue long-term, while Freya has her sights set on university.
“They’ll probably always want to train whatever path they take. If they have the opportunity to train and compete, I’m sure they’ll take it with both hands,” their mum said.