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3mo ago

Inquest Finds Misadventure in 15-Year-Old’s Kickboxing Death and Exposes Regulatory Failings

The verdict has prompted the government to task its culture department with developing minimum safety standards for unsanctioned youth combat events.

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Overview

  • Coroner Michael Pemberton concluded that Alex Eastwood died of misadventure after collapsing from a catastrophic brain injury sustained in a June 2024 unsanctioned kickboxing contest.
  • The hearing exposed a lack of risk assessment, event planning and national safeguarding standards for children in combat sports at unsanctioned competitions.
  • Organisers had agreed on a light-contact exhibition match but footage suggested it strayed into full contact without formal ground-rule meetings or enhanced medical protocols.
  • In March, the coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report warning of the dangers posed by unregulated youth martial arts contests.
  • Secretary of State Lisa Nandy has charged the Department for Culture, Media and Sport with urgently exploring enforceable safety measures for children in martial arts.