The Sport Academy met the young Welsh girl who's kicking up a storm in the world of martial arts.

I first got into kickboxing when I was about eight years old.

I was being bullied at school so my mum took me along to self-defence classes and it all went from there.

Two years later I claimed my first world title.

I've lost count of the trophies and medals I've won since then.

And now I'm a first dan black belt, I certainly don't get bothered by the bullies anymore!

Kickboxing combines the best elements of boxing and martial arts.

As well as keeping me fit and healthy, I find it's given me bags of confidence.

Some people say it's the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit.

Bruce Lee's films made martial arts popular worldwide

The rules are very similar to boxing, although you are also allowed to use your legs to defend and attack in kickboxing.

Points are scored according to technique and where on the opponent's body the strike is landed.

You need to have lightning-fast reactions. But you've also got to use your brain as well as your body to outwit your opponents.

The secret is to suss out their weaknesses, any chinks in their armour.

At the gym where I train, I spar with men twice my age and have given a few of them bloody noses!

And in competitions, I've beaten opponents up to 15 years of age - boys as well as girls.

Joe was undefeated WBO super-middleweight champion

I get invitations to fight in tournaments all over the world, but I've had to turn some down because it gets very expensive.

Luckily my family and friends clubbed together to fund my last trip to the European Championships in Greece.

I train almost every day, up to three hours at a time.

Some of that time I now spend at the gym run by boxer Joe Calzaghe's father, Enzo.

Sparring alongside a top fighter like Joe is really inspiring.

In fact, I'd like to switch to boxing full-time eventually.

I know some people say boxing isn't a sport for girls, but I disagree.

Laila followed her father into the ring

Mohammad Ali's daughter Laila has really helped raise the profile of women's boxing.

And they're even thinking of including it in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

I'll be 17 by then so that's definitely something I'm aiming for.

I want to work hard and be the best.

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