Kash “The Flash” Gill

Lozells & Handsworth has come a long way

Born and bred in Handsworth, Kash The Flash Gill, has gone on to put the area on the map in the kickboxing world.

Having spent nearly his whole life in Handsworth, Flash has gone on to become a four-time world kickboxing champion, “My connection is that I’ve been spending nearly all my life in Handsworth. I went to school in St. Michaels… then I went up to Hamstead Hall.”.

Flash became the first British Asian to become world kickboxing champion in 1986, a career which he began in Handsworth Park. Nowadays, he teaches children kickboxing in the same park where he began his career.

Recalling back to his first memories, including disturbances in Handsworth, Flash points to the riots of 1985 like many others which were against the local police. He believes that Handsworth & Lozells are “known for the wrong reasons” and media portrayal plays a part in this. When Flash was growing up in the 1980s, it was really tough for him. The riots of 1985 proved to be a challenging obstacle however he kept himself away from the riots. He was 14 at the time and he saw a lot of looting taking place. He believes that the solution was unity in the community at the time, something he still believes should be the solution to any problem.

Regarding the situation with Covid-19, Kash believes it was a tough time for all but it didn’t help that there was mass denial. Kash had a gym which had to be closed due to the virus. Kash’s gym was one of many businesses that were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic which took many lives, disproportionately in Handsworth & Lozells. One thing that helped the community during those tough times was spirit. As a long-standing member of Handsworth’s diverse community, Kash says that nobody ever sees by colour. Furthermore, he says everybody supports each other which is a form of togetherness that can be helped by sport & exercise. Kash teaches children kickboxing at Handsworth park, he says that parents encourage their children to attend because they know that in the long-term, it’s beneficial.

As a former trainer at the local Holte secondary school, Kash has witnessed many changes in Handsworth. He’s seen a lot of development at the school and he’s particularly impressed by the improvement in sports equipment. To end, he says that “Lozells and Handsworth has come a long way”.