From a little-noticed gym on Skipton Road in Harrogate, Nathaniel Kalogiannidis is preparing for the fight of his life.

He’s one on the UK’s best practitioners of Thai boxing – or muay thai – and he’s just three bouts away from winning a six-figure contract with ONE Championship, the world’s biggest fight promotion organisation. If you’re a little hazy on the muay thai hierarchy, think Premier League. 

When I meet him at the Kao Loi Gym, he’s relaxed after a week in Morocco, where he and his girlfriend went for a quick holiday following his last fight. Yet nine days after the bout in Manchester, his nose is still bruised and his knuckles still hurt, but he’s in good spirits, relentlessly cheerful and hitting the pads on full power. 

He lost that fight, but the winner – the UK’s number one at 79kg – broke his hand on Nathaniel’s forehead, so he’s out of contention and the Harrogate man has a second chance. He’s not going to let it pass. 

He said: 

“I’ll be grabbing this opportunity with both hands. If it works out the way that I’m hoping, I should be going to Canada.” 

Nathaniel Kalogiannidis punches opponent Dan Bonner during their recent bout in Manchester. Photo: Lamine Mersch.

His last fight was part of a four-man tournament where the winners were supposed to fight each other. They didn’t – “neither made it out” says Nathaniel – so that contest will happen next month at the O2 in London. The winner of that will head to Alberta, Canada in November. From there, the victor will be on a flight to Thailand. 

If he ever feels daunted by how far there is yet to go to achieve his dreams – which appears unlikely, given his easy confidence – he should perhaps reflect on how far he’s come. 

Born in Harrogate District Hospital, he spent his childhood in his father’s home country of Greece, where his dad introduced his “little hyperactive kid” to taekwondo. He won his first fight at the age of six and has been hooked ever since. 

Nathaniel at the Kao Loi gym on Skipton Road in Harroagte.

He returned to Yorkshire and attended King James’s School in Knaresborough, always keeping up with the martial arts. Did he fight at school? He laughs: 

“I tried to stay out of trouble! I’m sure there are some teachers who can remember a few instances. 

“My first coach, who I had in Greece, was always encouraging us not to get into confrontations outside of the gym, so it’s something I’ve tried to stay away from. But as a teenage boy, I feel like that’s sometimes a little inevitable.” 

Does he regard himself as a Harrogate fighter, or a Knaresborough fighter? Yorkshire, English, or Greek? He said: 

“Harrogate, Yorkshire – I don’t want to sound too territorial, to be honest! I want to represent my team and the people who believe in me. That’s who I represent.” 

Photo: Lamine Mersch.

He’s now a professional fighter and at the age of 25, he jokes that he’s “still got about 10 more years of punch-ups” in him. His record is 10 wins and five losses, but he says those don’t bother him. He ranks eighth in the UK at middleweight and his trajectory is ever upward. 

He said: 

“I pride myself on not cherry-picking opponents. I’ve never said no to any man who’s been offered to me in a fight. My first professional fight was against the UK number five ranked K1 fighter. All of my opponents have gone on to fight at international level or world level, so the guys that I’m getting beaten by – and it’s not by a lot – are very respectable opponents. 

“I’ve never said no to anybody, because I’m not interested in polishing my record. I’m interested in being the guy who will just get in there, fight anybody and always make it an entertaining fight. Wins and losses don’t really matter to me too much.” 

That may be so, but it doesn’t mean he’s not deadly serious about getting to Canada and then Thailand. He knows who he’s up against and he’s training hard, with between 10 and 12 sessions a week – two a day, six days a week, each an hour-and-a-half or two-and-a-half hours long. He said: 

“We prefer quality over quantity. I don’t really need really long hours to be training – it’s just how good I can be for five three-minute rounds. That’s all that matters in a fight.” 

Those 15 minutes are intense. The lead-up to a fight typically takes months, so there’s a lot of time to think about it. Nathaniel said: 

“It’s really interesting, because the emotions up to the fight are never consistent. For a lot of fights I’ve been really nervous, about a month out. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions – it’s so inconsistent. Up, down, up, down. And then you get to walk into the ring, and there’s still a little bit of that anxiety and right before I walk out, my music comes on and everything leaves. It just goes and I’m just full of confidence. And I’m completely zoned into I have to do.

“It’s quite a beautiful thing for me because my brain’s quite full-on and I’ve got a lot of internal chatter, but to know that for however long the fight is, all I have to think about is me and the person stood in front of me. I don’t have to think about anything else. It sounds mental, but for me that’s a really, really peaceful place.”

It may feel peaceful, but that’s not how it looks. Muay thai is known as the ‘Art of Eight Limbs’ because it allows the use of eight “weapons” – the hands, the elbows, the knees, and the legs/feet – and the damage they can do can be spectacular. When Nathaniel’s last opponent broke his hand on his skull, the two of them were covered in his blood, and he needed seven staples in his forehead. 

Nathaniel lost his last fight, but the winner broke his hand and will be unable to progress. Photo: Lamine Mersch.

Little wonder that fighters study each other intently to avoid the traps. In training, their sparring partners aim to imitate the fighting style of their next opponent, so that all the correct responses can be filed away and incorporated into the game plan. The last thing a fighter wants is to have to think too hard when in the ring. Nathaniel said: 

“You put it all into your autopilot so you don’t have to think. I’ve had times where I have been really thinking and you fall behind. You don’t have any momentum – it’s gone. Gone. It’s like a meditation – you can’t afford to be stuck on any single thought.” 

He says the worst feeling is finishing a fight and thinking he could have done more. It only happened once and he’s never let it happen again. He said: 

“I know for a fact that I leave absolutely everything in the ring. I give absolutely everything in my preparation. Anything I can possibly do, anything that I can control, I do 100%. I don’t do half measures.” 

But then again, the other fighters are doing the same thing, so is there ever bad blood? Trash talking has become de rigueur in boxing, so is it the same in muay thai? He said: 

“Muay thai is a much more traditional, respectful support, and I’ve always had respect between me and my opponents.  

“It doesn’t always mean that I’ve liked the guys who I’ve fought, before or after, but they’ve never been anything but respectful after the fight. A lot of the time it might not even be a personal thing, but when you have the same dream as somebody else, it’s very hard to get along with them. We both want the same thing. We’ve both put a lot into what we’re doing. 

“But I’ve met some of the nicest people I’ve ever met through combat sports. To go through 15 minutes of doing what we do in a ring to then hug it out covered in blood and have a drink, which I have done with a lot of my opponents – a drink and a chinwag after – is really, really quite a beautiful thing, I think.” 

That feeling is, of course, intensified by victory – winning, he says, is like an addictive drug. He said: 

“It’s an incredible feeling getting your hand raised. I wish I could bottle it up and give it to people. But I can’t – it’s the product of giving something 100%, chasing something that you love, and coming out the other side victorious. It’s got to be one of the best feelings in life.” 

Whether he wins, loses or draws at the O2 next month – he says “When I win” – there’s no chance that Harrogate and Knaresborough’s hometown challenger will throw in the towel on his career anytime soon. Had he lost that first bout aged six, he would still have kept fighting. He said: 

“I’ve lost loads of times and there have been times when people have told me to stop, and I could have just quit and done something else as a career. But I’ve never wanted to do anything else.

“I really feel like this is my calling and this is what I was put on this planet to do. And to use my platform to help and influence other people through combat sports. So, one way or another I’d have found myself back inside of a ring!”

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If you find yourself walking through the Valley Gardens in Harrogate on a Sunday morning, you might spot an unusual sight – one that seems out of place in a Yorkshire town.

In the shelter of the pavilion, people perform a set of intentional and graceful movements, like a slow dance.

Every Sunday this group meet to practise tai chi – an ancient martial art known as a form of gentle movement, self-defence and moving meditation.

Guided by Paul Gitsham – the founder of martial arts school Bamboo Forest – the hour-long class is held in the gardens, come rain or shine. Hosting sessions outside is a way to ‘bring the natural world back into our lives’, according to Paul.

He explained:

“As the seasons pass, it’s a very different experience. You can be training on a cold winter’s morning or a spring day, and that will change how you move – it’s a very reflective art.”

One of Bamboo Forest’s Escrima, Staff & Stick classes

Passing the art to the next generation

Embracing nature is one of the many benefits Paul believes that tai chi can offer. Born in Doncaster, he didn’t take up martial arts until he was in his early twenties, and at first only considered it as a form of self-defence.

However, Paul soon found that studying tai chi offered him innumerable benefits, and he went on to train under the tutelage of one of his heroes, Nigel Sutton of Zhong Ding International.

He has travelled extensively to learn more about the cultural philosophies underpinning the practice, including visiting training centres in Penang, Malaysia.

With two decades of teaching experience across Yorkshire, he then set up his own business in Harrogate three years ago, as a way to continue the legacy of tai chi.

A younger Paul at a training centre in Malaysia

He believes that in the UK it can be often overlooked, due to the popularity of taekwondo, karate and judo.

Paul said:

“The essence of it as a martial art is really starting to fade, and as one of the younger members of the community, I didn’t want it to disappear.

“There’s a sense of passing on the art to the next generation.”

The name Bamboo Forest hold special significance too – firstly it works as a nod to the concept of Wu Lin (martial forest), which symbolises how all martial arts are distinct but intertwined.

Secondly, Paul believes that bamboo represents ‘strength, flexibility, and adaptability’ – all key principles in martial arts, particularly tai chi.

A familial structure

Paul’s classes attract a broad demographic – one of his youngest regulars is 30 years old, and the oldest is 79 – a true veteran of the art, having trained for many years.

He explains that a traditional Chinese class structure is one of family, rather than strictly student-teacher, to encourage a sense of community.

“It’s hard to translate the exact definition of the relationship as something gets lost, but it’s all about looking out for each other.

“There are people I’ve known and trained with for 15 years. And after class, we get a coffee from the Valley Gardens café, have a catch up and a chat.”

Paul runs two classes on a Sunday in the Valley Gardens: Applied Tai Chi, and Escrima, Staff & Stick which explores movements with traditional Asian wooden weapons.

The classes take place in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

Reported benefits of tai chi have been increased flexibility, strength and posture, as well as improving cardiovascular fitness.

Paul himself highlights a ‘greater understanding of his body alignment’, which is helpful to people of all ages, but particularly older people, who may be more prone to trips and falls.

He added:

“Tai Chi teaches you a lot about yourself, and your awareness of space. It’s like driving – to start with you’re feeling your way around, but soon enough it’s second nature.

“It’s gentle, low-impact, and you can go at your own pace. It has a welcoming community too, you’ll get out of it what you put in, but the benefits can be enormous.”

Bamboo Forest’s Applied Tai Chi classes take place every Sunday in the Valley Gardens, from 9.30am – 10.45am, followed by Escrima, Staff & Stick from 10.45am – 12pm. 

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A Brazilian jiu-jitsu school in Harrogate has raised more than £4,000 for local suicide prevention charity The Jordan Legacy.

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defence organised a fundraising day in memory of former student Alastair McKenzie, who took his life last year.

Those attending were invited to make donations to attend workshops by guest black belt instructors.

There was also a bake sale and a sale of second hand BJJ kit, and Steve Phillip, founder and director of The Jordan Legacy, gave a talk.

The event supported The Jordan Legacy because Alastair’s widow Tina has been working with the not-for-profit organisation, which aims to reduce suicides by providing support. It easily surpassed the £1,500 fundraising target.

Head instructor Lewis Matthews said the day aimed to bring people together and show the importance of having a team around you as well as raise money in memory of Alastair.

It is running a free women’s self-defence workshop on Sunday, June 25.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu combines grappling and ground work to control and restrain opponents, making it a perfect fit for self defence.

Registration for the two-hour workshop, which is expected to be followed by more similar events this year, is available here.

This article is sponsored by Gracie Barra Harrogate

After months spent in various lockdowns, I was determined to find a club for my eight-year-old son that would allow him to meet other kids and help him to rebuild some confidence.

Like the majority of parents in the pandemic, the struggle to juggle work, homeschooling and a toddler was real.

Inevitably screen time went up while we attempted to work from home.

So when gyms and clubs were allowed to re-open again, I wanted my son to channel his energy into a sport or martial art.

And there was one club in particular that caught my eye when I was scrolling Instagram one evening.

Under the leadership of Lewis Matthews and his team of coaches, Gracie Barra Harrogate had been teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes over Zoom during the lockdown.

Once restrictions had eased, a full timetable of children’s sessions was launched at the newly-refurbished school at Hornbeam Park.

The popularity of BJJ has soared in recent years. With many high-profile personalities preaching its benefits. As well as building fitness levels, the martial art allows children to experience and understand core values like focus, discipline, persistence, co-operation and respect.

The academy is part of the global martial arts organisation, Gracie Barra, and forms part of a network of schools across the world offering the highest standard of BJJ instruction.

The structured curriculum is age and skill level appropriate, with children ranging from four-years-old to 15, before moving into adult programmes. It is aimed at teaching kids practical self defence skills that will give them confidence moving through life, as well as introducing them to an exciting and challenging new sport.

Techniques taught within BJJ focus not on striking, but on grappling and defending yourself, without the need to punch or kick someone.

Lewis said:

“These are valuable skills that are needed, as the potential consequences for striking someone often outweigh the benefit. But we also practice the sport of BJJ, which is incredibly fun too.”

So in November I signed my son up for a free trial at the facility, which is impressive in itself, with its huge floor space and its striking blue and red interior.

I was able to sit in the bright and airy reception area and watch him enjoy his session.

In just a few months his confidence has soared, he has made friends – and grappled with – lots of other children from across Harrogate and he has realised that hard work pays off.

I put this down to the quality of the coaching, which sees sessions delivered in a fun and relaxed manner, while also being incredibly thorough.

Recently he was awarded the first stripe on his belt, which gave him a huge sense of achievement.

Lewis said:

“In BJJ there is a huge emphasis placed upon enjoying the process of practice as much as the end result.

“As such, ‘gradings’ and new belts are not as frequent, but recognition comes in the form of stripes at intervals between belts.

“This teaches children about patience, persistence and to not just get hung-up on collecting the shiny object at the end.”

Other parents have also sung the school’s praises.

Ryan Ellis has two children, aged eight and five, who started at Gracie Barra in June 2021.

He said:

“I chose Grace Barra Harrogate as I had a taster session there myself the previous year. I remember how welcoming and helpful everybody was and this prompted me to look into the kids’ classes.

“My children both enjoy being active and the class gives them plenty of opportunity for this.

“The classes contain a great variety of activities, from the animal warm-ups, to finishing with a game of dodgeball, there’s something for everyone.”

Ryan said he had noticed an improved sense of confidence in his children which had transferred into school life, particularly with his son.

He said:

“I like how the classes promote respect and resilience, both of which are important life skills for them growing up.

“I couldn’t recommend the classes enough. Lewis and the team are exceptional role models to both of my children and every child should give BJJ a go.”

Gracie Barra Harrogate’s owner Lewis Matthews started teaching BJJ in 2017 as he wanted somewhere to train closer to home, with there being no real offering in Harrogate.

He started the kids’ classes after his American friend, and former business partner, Geoffrey Cumbus, a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner working at Menwith Hill, suggested offering a juniors programme. BJJ is extremely popular in the States.

Lewis said:

“There was a doctor on the base who knew Geoff and his children had practiced BJJ back in the States. He kept asking Geoff if we would start a class for his four kids.

“His children started training on the edge of the mat in the adult classes and eventually we made the jump and launched a Saturday kids’ class.”

From 2018 until 2020, the classes continued to grow, so when Lewis became a dad in 2020, he faced a big decision.

He said:

“I used to work in construction and I was working on a job at Betty’s and Taylors that I knew was going to come to an end.

“For me I had a lifestyle choice to make. I realised that if whatever new project I was working on took me away from Harrogate, I would have to almost close the club down.

“I came to a bit of a crossroads. I realised I could go all in on this, make it a full-time job and have a better work/life balance, which meant I could see my family and stay in Harrogate.”

So Lewis, who started training in BJJ in 2006, decided to go for it and spent the first national lockdown transforming what was formerly BigKat Fitness and Martial Arts into the now full-time Jiu-Jitsu academy at The Zone, Hornbeam Park.

However, when the newly-refurbished school opened with a full children’s timetable, like many businesses, Lewis then had to navigate two more lockdowns and a string of constantly-changing Government restrictions.

He said:

“Fortunately we went from strength-to-strength.

“I remember being so nervous leaving my job, but I had faith in what me and the team were building. 

“When I first started training Jiu-Jitsu in Harrogate, it was for my own benefit. Before that first kids’ class I wasn’t so sure about teaching children’s classes, or whether I would enjoy it. 

“But now something I was initially nervous about doing, has become my most enjoyable part of coaching.

“You see the impact, how much they enjoy it and how much you can help develop a child that maybe doesn’t have much confidence, or isn’t very co-ordinated, or needs to improve their healthy habits. It’s really rewarding in that sense.”

Tiny Champs classes are for children aged four and five, Little Champs, ages six to nine, and Juniors and Teens is age 10 plus.

Kids classes run at Gracie Barra everyday apart from Friday and Sunday. You can view the full timetable here.

To book a free trial session click here.

Follow Gracie Barra Harrogate on Instagram @gracie_barra_harrogate