12 year old Keanna C, a student at King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland, has returned from Italy with a gold medal and a world title following her victory at the Muay Thai World Championships.

Coundon born Keanna began her sporting career at the age of just six when she joined her local Mixed Martial Arts club and three years later, she switched to Thai Boxing as she was keen to enter competition fighting. Now, she trains regularly at Legions Gym in York and is looking forward to taking part in as many competitions as possible.

In the World Championships final, which took place at the AGSM AIM Stadium in Verona, Keanna fought against an Italian opponent, and despite being at a distinct disadvantage in terms of height, she fought three rounds and won them all to claim the title. Over 80 countries were represented at the event and Team England won Team of the Tournament with the most wins and medals overall. This wasn’t Keanna’s first competition title; earlier this year she also won the Amateur Muay Thai World Open in Great Yarmouth.

Kianna said, "I love the discipline of Muay Thai and the traditions of respect for teachers, opponents and the sport itself. Being in the ring is exhilarating, but there's also a great sense of belonging when you are a member of a Muay Thai club. It's a worldwide sport, and at tournaments competitors all have a common bond."

Muay Thai, a martial art and combat sport originating from Thailand, is known as the ‘art of eight limbs’ due to the use of fists, feet, elbows and knees as offensive weapons.