Today we catch up with the phenomenal, Kash Gill affectionately known as ‘Kash the Flash’.
Heralded a community hero, life was not always easy for Kash. He lost his mother at a young age and grew up with his hands-on father who now had to take on both roles. One way to manage emotions was to channel their energy into sports and fitness. As Kash’s father was a former Punjab wrestling champion he knew how to do this better than many.
Despite living in the rough inner-city streets of Birmingham, with the support of his father and dedication to fitness Kash rose to world fame by dominating his chosen sport.
He refused to be defined by his environment and the tragedies that beset his early years
Kash the Flash accolades
- World Champion in kickboxing at the age of 20
- Four times World Kickboxing Champion
- Inducted into the BBC Sporting Hall of Fame
- Founder of the International Freestyle Association (IFA) Kickboxing Club
This year Queen’s Baton Relay returns to England for the Commonwealth Games 2022. It will be carried across the country by inspirational Batonbearers, each with incredible stories. Rightly so Kash The Flash has been selected as one of the The Queens Batonbearer.
Let’s hear from Kash the Flash himself – Interview
Kash possesses a compelling focus inside the ring but outside he has one of the most affectionate, heart warming, and supporting personas, so it gives us great pleasure to catch up with him today:
Question 1: You became World Amateur Kick Boxing Champion when you were 20, how did this feel?
Kash: At only aged 20 I became World Champion, winning away from home gave me lots more confidence & strong mental strength. I was one of the rising stars of the UK scene, hitting all the cultural programs.
Question 2: Why did you choose to go into Kick Boxing?
Kash: I was always a Boxing fan watching the great Muhammed Ali fights. When I watched the demo in a local park, I had never seen hands and feet with spinning kicks . I suddenly took to it like a duck to water :).
Question 3: You won the World Kickboxing Association light middleweight and super welterweight full contact titles. What did this mean for your career?
Kash: Commentators described me as one of the most exciting fighters in the world due to my style of fight and my flashy ring entrances with the bhangra bands. One of my most memorable entrances has to have been the personal performance of Apache Indian and his special song Chok De in 1991.
Entertainment aside, winning two contact titles did wonders for my career and helped me gain more fights.
Question 4: In 2002 you formally retired from fighting and now teach at your gym. What led you to open your own gym?
Kash: Luckily, I was coaching from 1984 as a young apprentice and in 1986 became a full time coach teaching at gyms, schools, colleges and community halls. In 2008, I opened a full time gym, producing my own World Champions and also getting recognition by Pride of Britain Local Hero for the great work of encouraging communities to work together. I wanted to pass my knowledge and experience on.
Question 5: You have natural onstage charm and confidence. What does this mean to you as a speaker?
“I have obtained very good people skills because travelling the world has been my best education”
Kash the Flash
Kash: I have natural onstage charm & confidence 🙂
Believe me I was a very shy youngster and teaching really gave me confidence especially when you have police officers, nurses, doctors, solicitors and so on in front of you, you soon have to learn to be confident. I have obtained very good people skills because travelling the world has been my best education.
Question 6: What do you see as your biggest accomplishment?
Kash: I believe as a fighter and a coach I was very successful, I’m also proud to share that I have 3 great kids, well they are now all adults. I was able to encourage them and introduce opportunities which were not available to me. I hope I made my father proud and feel honoured to share that my children have made me proud by working hard and showing commitment. Two have completed their university degrees and my youngest is in his first year of a law degree.
I continue to enjoy coaching and helping all communities and was recently selected to receive a Points of Light certificate and was invited by Boris Johnson to 10 Downing Street to receive this.
I am now looking forward to the Birmingham Commonwealth games as a representative of the community to carry the Queen’s Baton on the opening day, 28th July 2022 and do hope you can join me.
Stay in touch with Kash the Flash via social media:
Twitter: @kashtheflash
Facebook: @kashtheflash
Instagram: @kashtheflash
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