FIVE stick-fighters are set to represent Great Britain in the World Championships with one of them aiming for a hat-trick of triumphs.

Phil Ireland is the reigning lightweight single-stick and double-stick world champion having won the titles in 2002 and 2004.

Now, in Orlando, America, Phil is ready to complete his hat-trick and his teammates are also looking for medals.

The Dartford resident said: "We don't want to get too confident because everyone else at the championship is good.

"We're up against the best from Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and many more.

"You can never hedge your bets but I, and the other guys, will hold our own."

He will be joined at the July championships by Alex Carty, 27; Jonathan Lewis, 34; Matt King, 27 and 13-year-old James Carty from Orpington.

Phil has high hopes for his compatriots as all have grown in experience since the last World Championship and the camaraderie within the squad is good.

He said: "We will train in Luton with the whole squad before flying out which means we get to know everyone.

"It's important because sometimes a couple of the guys are fighting at the same time meaning you cannot always have the same corner team.

"A fighter relies on his corner team because they can see things from a different angle and you can be putting the fight in their hands so you need their experience."

The five train at Keddles Gym, Orpington, in the art of stick-fighting which Phil likens to boxing in technique.

The 27-year-old said: "We use 28-inch sticks but it is different to swords, for example, because a sword strike is retracted and repeated.

"However, with stick fighting you hit and bounce the stick into another strike and then another. The stick should flow and good fighters can land eight strikes in a second."

He added: "The footwork is like boxing, be it offensive or defensive. You bob and weave with the stick and judges score for both defence and attack."