Taking The Long Road To WBC Victory

Nathan and Caleb with pops Clive at the WBC Maui Thai World Championships 2026

atest press release from the Jai Sua Muay Thai gym in Bray, issued on Thursday, 9th July 2026…

Two talented Wicklow brothers have made a major impact on the global martial arts stage, with 17-year-old Caleb Long securing a World Silver Medal at the prestigious WBC Maui Thai World Championships 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Competing between June 25th and 29th, 2026, Caleb and his 21-year-old brother, Nathan Long, both proudly represented Ireland under the banner of Bray-based club Jai Sua Muay Thai. Facing off against top-tier global athletes, the brothers delivered outstanding performances that have firmly placed Irish Muay Thai in the international spotlight.

World Silver for Teen Sensation Caleb Long
Caleb, a 6th-year student at Temple Carrig School in Greystones, put on a masterclass in the Under-18s (63.5kg) category. The teenager fought his way to the final by eliminating elite competitors from Canada, Spain, and Australia.

In the gold medal bout, Caleb faced a formidable eight-time World Champion from the USA. The final proved to be an absolute thriller, with the local teen narrowly missing out on gold via a points decision.

This silver medal adds to an already stellar year for Caleb, who recently claimed the title at the ISKA Irish Open 2026 Championship in Waterford. He is now set to wear the green jersey once again when he represents Ireland at the World ISKA Championships in Madrid this coming November.

Brave Quarter-Final Battle for Nathan Long
Older brother Nathan (21) also showcased his world-class caliber in the highly competitive men’s Under-75kg division. Outside of his rigorous training schedule at Jai Sua, Nathan works locally as a Personal Trainer at BLOC Gym in Bray.

Nathan was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the world tournament after putting on a showcase performance. His podium run was ultimately cut short following a hard-fought, highly competitive points decision loss to an experienced fighter from Brazil.

A Proud Moment for Bray and Greystones
The incredible run by the Long brothers highlights the world-class coaching and talent emerging from the Jai Sua Muay Thai gym. Returning home with a world silver medal, the brothers have written a proud new chapter for Wicklow combat sports as Caleb now turns his focus towards the World ISKA Championships in Madrid.

The brothers also wanted to thank everyone who helped them get to the WBC Maui Thai World Championship 2026, especially those who contributed to their GoFundMe campaign.

You can follow Caleb Long on Instagram here, and Nathan Long right here, plus find out more about Bray’s Jai Sua Muay Thai gym here.