Farmington High Schooler, Drighten Collins, Will Represent Team USA In The World Association Of Kickboxing Organization League

(Farmington) A kickboxer at Farmington High School is going to represent the United States on the international stage.

Drighten Collins, a 15-year-old incoming sophomore, captured a title at the 2023 World Association of Kickboxing Organization USA World Championships in Nashville back in May. At the beginning of June, Collins received an invitation letter to represent Team USA at competitions in Puerto Rico in August and Brazil in December.

Collins says he never envisioned donning the red, white and blue, and he almost missed the opportunity this summer due to the news of a splenic cyst back in March.

Collins began training at the age of 9 in kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. Collins says he had his doubts at times. but despite only two days of training for the WAKO USA World Championships, he persevered.

Collins says he mostly trains out of Victory MMA in Farmington. His parents, Aaron and Marie Collins, own the Farmington gym and Victory MMA in Potosi.

Collins tells us how he got into the sport.

Collins, nicknamed “The Dude”, is also known as “Coach Dude” to some of the kids that train at Victory MMA.

WAKO is the only kickboxing organization in the world to be recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Collins will participate at the WAKO Puerto Rican Open in San Juan, Puerto Rico from August 25th to the 27th and the WAKO Junior Pan American Championships in Brazil from December 7th to the 10th.

That’s pretty amazing considering Collins is still fairly new to this kind of competition.

Collins wanted to thank his trainers and training partners for their help.

One of “The Dude’s” biggest goals is to inspire the youth from small town Farmington to follow their dreams, never give up, and do great things.

Collins and his family are looking to raise money for travel expenses and possible sponsors. A Go Fund Me was organized by his mother, Marie. You can also visit the Victory MMA Facebook Page for more information.

Full interview: