A Ripon teenager has come home with two medals after competing for England at the World Kickboxing Championships in Germany.
Mehreen Syed won a silver and a bronze at the prestigious event which attracted more than 2,500 elite competitors from 40 countries.
The 13-year-old, who attends Ripon Grammar School (RGS), was selected to represent her country for the four-competitor teams fight, where England won silver.
She also competed in light continuous and points fighting.
She described the World Kickboxing Association competition, held in the ancient German city of Trier, as being on another level.
Mehreen said:
“Standing on that podium after days of hard fights was a moment I will never forget. Every fighter gave it their all. I'm beyond thrilled to bring home silver and bronze.”
She added:
“It's been an incredible journey, but I’ve always believed in my training and dedication and every challenge pushed me to be better. I'm grateful for my parents & coaches for believing in me and supporting along the way.”
Her mother, Shahtaj, told how Mehreen’s dedication and resilience throughout the process had been inspiring to watch:
“Her hard work is paying off, and this is only the beginning."
The teenager, who has scored wins in every competition she has entered, including two earlier major national contests, has already got next year’s world championships, which will be held in Abu Dhabi, in her sights.
“My ambition now is to qualify for that and I’ll be going for the gold at the next year's competition.”
Mehreen, who first took up the sport aged four and achieved her black belt (Dan 1) last July, has always wanted to compete for her country.
Also a keen swimmer, gymnast, netball and hockey player, she trains for her kickboxing in Leeds and confesses she was hooked from the moment she took part in her first competition.
Having also trained in lifeguarding, Mehreen juggles all her sport, alongside her studies, with the two hours a day, two days a week, she spends on her kickboxing training and plans to go to university after RGS.
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