I brought the European Championship boxing medal back to Sunderland
A Sunderland teenager flew the flag for her home city on the European boxing stage - and brought home gold.
Anya New boxed clever in Germany for the Under 17s championships, winning the u50kg category.
The 15-year-old, who lives on Queen Alexandra Road, has been boxing since she was six-years-old.
Boxing is in her blood as dad Robert New owns East End ABC where Anya trains six times a week.
Even when she has a day off, Anya still runs, such is her dedication to the sport.
Mum Sara said: “It’s unreal for her to win this title and is her biggest win to date. It’s a real family at the gym, they’re all really supportive of each other, and we’re all so proud.”
Anya, who attends Southmoor School, was scouted for England Boxing and attends regular training camps with some of the country’s best young boxers.
Sunderland East End Amateur Boxing Club moved into a former church hall on Suffolk Street in Hendon in 2021, transforming it from a former joinery workshop into a gym fit for its members.
It’s become a valuable sporting asset to the community, teaching kids aged from eight up to adults.
And it’s also become home to a real hit squad, including fellow European Champ, and World Champ, Ella Lonsdale.
Sara said: “It’s great to see so many of the girls doing well in the sport, they’re flying more than the boys at the minute.”