Meet the real-life Karate Kid - a 10-year-old Olympic hopeful who is already a martial arts world champion.<br /><br />Jody Jonas, from Chelmsford, only started Muay Thai at the age of six.<br /><br />But four years on and he's already won multiple titles - with his sights set firmly on the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.<br /><br />Dad Jody Jonas Snr, 40, said: "He's the best in the business."<br /><br />Jody Jnr - nicknamed the Ice Man - started Muay Thai at the Knowsley Academy, a north London gym, in 2019.<br /><br />Now he's competing across Britain and the world, supported by his family.<br /><br />Jody Snr, a dog breeder, added: "He started competing a year-and-a-half ago and he's already had over 30 fights.<br /><br />"In that time he's become an English champion, British champion, two-time European champion and world champion.<br /><br />Schoolboy Jody won at the World Kickboxing Organisation European Championships last month.<br /><br />These follows a Muay Thai World Open title he claimed in February. <br /><br />His interest comes from his dad, who is a qualified Muay Thai instructor and promoter.<br /><br />During lockdown, Jody was doing frequent pad work, fitness and strength and conditioning training to prepare him for his competitive debut.<br /><br />Jody trains six days a week and is preparing to represent England in an international tournament in Italy in June.<br /><br />He is sponsored by several local companies, including Essex Sign and Design and Wickford Laser Clinic, who have all helped fund his journey.<br /><br />They pay for Jody to have one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer and pump money into Knowsley Academy for coaching and travel. <br /><br />His school have also supported him by letting him leave early for weighins and fundraising for his upcoming trip to Italy.<br /><br />His dream is to be an Olympian, and to compete in the ONE Championship - a league set up by the world's largest martial arts organisation.<br /><br />Jody Jnr said: "Training is hard but I love every second of it.<br /><br />"I've got the Olympics in mind, and I also want to become a ONE Championship World Champion. <br /><br />"I can't wait to go to Italy in the summer to represent England in the WBC - it will be a very proud moment.<br /><br />"Mum and Dad are really supportive - and dad drives me all over the country so I can fight. <br /><br />"I'm also grateful to my sponsors who support me financially.<br /><br />"Fighting for GB in the Brisbane Olympics is a big goal of mine, and I have amazing coaches who have taught me well.<br /><br />"Hopefully they will help me get there."
