A teenage martial art athlete has won gold at a world championships held in Thailand.
Ellie Harber, 16, shone at the Muay Thai tournament becoming world champion in the 57 to 60kg category.
The International Federation of Muay Thai World Championships in Bangkok began on December 6 with more than 700 fights taking place across six days.
Ellie was joined by 14 other athletes from Team GB with the team picking up a total of five golds, two silvers, and four bronzes.
The Rickmansworth School pupil competed in a category for under 18s, delivering a technical knock-out (TKO), with a head kick and low kick in the semi-finals versus her opponent from Iran, before an intense final with a Russian fighter.
The pair traded hard kicks, knees, punches, and elbows with a "proud" Ellie emerging as the winner under the mentorship of Iman Barlow.
She said: "I was so pleased when I was selected for the GB team, and as I was one of the youngest in my category, just turning 16 in October, I was going for the experience, but I am so proud that my hard work with all my coaches has paid off. I love this sport and want to go as far as I can."
Ellie, who trains at the Knowlesy Academy in Burnt Oak in north London, run by WBC world heavyweight Muay Thai champion Lyndon Knowles, added: "The past 18 months has been hard for many people, and with any sportsperson it has been difficult in ensuring that you can continue to train.
"I have been extremely fortunate because even in the strictest lockdown my dad stepped in and was my pad man, and I trained as soon as I could with my training partners."
Dad Steve added: "Her mum and I are so proud of Ellie achieving one of her dreams. She works incredibly hard. We enjoy taking her to training sessions and competitions across the country and world.
"To travel with her to Bangkok was fantastic to see her and the rest of the GB team do so well. We are proud of them all and we have met some great new people.
"We’d like to thank her coaches and the UK Muay Thai Federation team for believing in her and helping her achieve her dreams."
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