At the tender age of 14 become the Cadets British Champion in Single Stick Fighting run by WEKAF (World Escrima-Kalis-Arnis Federation). He was also crowned cadets fighter of the day in December 2nd 2012. 

Riaz has been selected for the Great Britain WEKAF team and will be fighting at the Hungary World Championships this July.

Not bad for someone who took up stick fighting in the summer of 2012 under Shamim Hoque and Abjol Miah of Kalis Ilustrisimo.

6 months and a British Title! Actually, lets rewind...

Riaz started Shotokan Karate at the age of 5 under Alton Brown (2nd Dan) (World Karate Athlete, Major title holder). He then went on to train with Joe Anderson from the Toyakwai Karate Association (8th Dan). Riaz went on to earn his First Dan Black Belt at the age of 11.

Since starting Karate, Riaz has competed in many major competitions and has won Gold in The EKF International 2009 (Clacton-On-Sea), Essex Grand National Open Championship 2009 (Clacton-On-Sea), Capital Open Championship 2009 (Clacton-On-Sea). Riaz also took Gold, Silver and Bronze in the Malta Four Nations International Championship 2008 organised by SKSM Karate Malta and even came 4th in the Funakoshi World Championships to name a few. Over the last 9 years, Riaz has fought in more than 50 tournaments.

(England's Haul of trophies at the Maltese Four Nations)

Riaz now trains in Karate under Alton Brown, Raphael Veras and others from the England Karate Squad.  With his Karate Background, Riaz was able to bring his unique experience to the WEKAF Stick fighting competition.