PENARTH'S Emily Griffiths was crowned the 54kg Welsh Boxing Champion after winning in the annual Welsh Championships held in Swansea.

Emily, 15, produced a great performance in the final beating Kiera Coleman, a strong opponent from Swansea.

This was an impressive achievement for Emily who becomes Penarth ABC’s first female Welsh Champion.

Her coach Neil Munn was naturally delighted and said: “This is a great achievement for Emily who has been training with us since the age of nine.

"Winning the Welsh vest is reward for all of the hard work she has put in over the years, often training four times a week.

"All of us at the club are immensely proud of her achievement and wish her well for the upcoming British Championships."

Emily started her competitive career in 2014, winning her first bout and picking up the coveted boxer of the night award at a boxing show in Caerphilly.

With only one fight behind her Emily was selected to box for Wales in the 2015 British Championships.

Despite boxing brilliantly Emily narrowly lost out to a far more experienced fighter from England.

Undeterred, Emily continued to fight competitively and following a series of impressive performances was again selected to box for Wales at the 2016 British Championships. Unfortunately, an injury picked up in the final week of Welsh squad training ruled her out of the competition.

Having become Welsh Champion this year, Emily will hopefully again be selected to box for Wales at the British Championships being held in June and is hoping to add the title to her growing list of achievements.

Coach Neil Munn added: “If Emily continues to train hard and develop her boxing skills she has a great chance to really impress at the British level.”