Llanelli kickboxer Lauren Bryant has returned from the WKO World Championships with three world titles after an outstanding three days of competition.
Lauren, 29, competed across boxing, light contact, points fighting and tag team events, finishing the championships with three individual gold medals, three silvers and a bronze.
She also won gold alongside her teammate in the female tag team competition and finished inside the top 10 individual athletes across the mat sports for overall medal tally, from around 500 competitors.
The result marks another major milestone for Lauren, who trains with Xandao Club and has competed at both European and world level.
Speaking about her latest success, Lauren said: “I’m absolutely over the moon with the results. Fighting over three days and across so many different disciplines was tough, so to come away with three world titles, three silvers and a bronze is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“Winning gold in the female tag teams with my teammate made it even more special, and finding out I’d finished in the top 10 for the overall mat sports medal tally out of around 500 athletes was a brilliant way to finish the championships.”
Lauren was one of 12 athletes selected for Snap Fitness’ Grassroots to Greatness programme in 2025, receiving funding to help with the costs involved in training and competing. The programme was launched to support grassroots athletes with expenses such as competition fees, travel, equipment and coaching.
Lauren added: “The grant has made a real difference because competing comes with so many costs, particularly when you’re travelling to events and entering multiple competitions. Having that support has helped take some of that pressure away and allowed me to keep taking opportunities to compete.”
Lauren’s success is one example of the progress athletes can make when some of the financial barriers around training and competition are eased. Following the response to the first Grassroots to Greatness programme, Snap Fitness is now looking for more grassroots athletes to support on their sporting journeys.
Applications are open to athletes looking for support with progressing in their sport, with further information available at: www.snapfitness.com/uk/grassroots-to-greatness
