Rotherham electrician fights for Team GB at Thai boxing tournament

Sparks will be eliminated this weekend by the Rotherham electrician, who will represent Great Britain in an international Muay Thai tournament.

Harry Hardwick will compete for Team GB at the Polish Open Cup, which will take place in Turawa from 10 to 12 October.

Hardwick, who self-funded his entry into the tournament, is one of five fighters representing Great Britain with a team prize on the line as well as individual medals.

The 23-year-old from Wickersley, who is 6ft 7ins tall, will compete in the 81kg category and said representing his country “means everything to him”.

Next week there will also be a youth tournament for boys from 16 to 17 years old.

Since this is an amateur competition, fighters will wear shin guards and headgear, whereas in professional fights only gloves are worn.

For Hardwick, the brutal side of the sport is something he has come to terms with.

“When I first started at 10 years old, it was very intimidating,” he said.

“I wear 10-ounce gloves, but you throw elbows to the head, knees to the head, kicks…”

His list of injuries is long and extensive.

“Black eyes, crooked noses. I haven’t been able to breathe through my nose for three years,” he said.

“My toes are cracking. I have bruises all over my lower leg.”

He admitted that sometimes it got to his mother “too much.”

“She never comes to my fights because she said from the very beginning that she doesn’t want to see her “young people” fight.

“She would have jumped into the ring!”

Although the sport is brutal, Hardwick admits that his day job actually poses more of a threat.

“I have to turn on my brain and focus like an electrician. I have to do this because it is very dangerous,” he said.

“I’ve had quite a few jolts and a few electric shocks over the years.

“I’d rather get elbowed in the head than get electrocuted.”

According to Trix March, Hardwick's long-time coach at the Sheffield Wicker Muay Thai camp, working as an electrician actually helped his development a lot.

“It has helped him improve his work ethic—working shifts builds resilience,” she said.

“All this turmoil has helped him become more tolerant of pain,” she joked.

Ms March is proud to be a “second mother” to Harry and other fighters.

“When he first started he was a quiet and shy boy and he definitely still needs cuddles.

“But when he turns it on, he’s great.

“He will go to the end. He will be a great champion.”