Christian McNeish is the main man in the big brother house but he’d rather rule the roost at this weekend’s Belgian Open in Lommel.

The former Youth Olympics bronze medallist was recently joined at the GB Academy by younger sister, Isobella.

The 18-year-old former kick boxer moved to Manchester after successfully coming through the rigorous Fighting Chance, talent ID initiative.

And Christian, one of seven GB players in action tomorrow (Saturday), is happy to pass on tips on and off the training mats.

“It’s great to have Isobella on the team though we haven’t seen too much of each other yet,” says McNeish senior, 19. “I have been away in competition and we’ve also trained at different times.

“But it’s good to catch up and see how she has improved in the short amount of time she’s been with the Academy.

“I am looking forward to seeing her really progress as a fighter. I have tried to help her out at the house making food.

“She’s not as good as me as a cook but she is trying,” added McNeish, hoping to serve up a better performance than his last 16 exit at the Dutch Open last weekend.

“It’s another opportunity to get some ring time under my belt and another opportunity to win a medal,” explained the 2016 French Open and 2017 German Open silver medallist.

“I didn’t have a great tournament in Holland so I want to improve on that and put what I have been doing in training into practice.”

British fighters claimed five medals in Eindhoven including gold for in-form, Peter Longobardi-Radford. The 22-year-old has won his last five tournaments and is out to make six of the best at -74kg.

Ben Haines looks to go one better than his -74kg Dutch silver while 2015 World Championship bronze medallist Rachelle Booth, the only GB female in action, is keen to improve on her quarter-final placing from Holland.

 

Schedule

Saturday, March 18

Male:

-58kg: Max Cater (Southampton)

-63kg: Josh Calland (Liverpool)

-68kg: Bradly Sinden (Doncaster)

-74kg: Ben Haines (Portsmouth), Christian McNeish (Plaistow), Peter Longobardi-Radford (Rye)

Female:

-62kg: Rachelle Booth (Wigan)