CUMNOCK teenager Zara Cameron has earned a gold medal at the Novice Boxing Championships.

The 16-year-old travelled to Ravenscraig Regional Sport Centre in Motherwell where she picked up the gold after a unanimous decision win against her opponent in the 2001 Youth Female 60kg weight class.

Amateur boxer Zara fights out of Logan Boxing Club and was over the moon with her unexpected success. She said: “This was my first fight in over a year, so I didn’t really expect to win the gold medal. I lost the first round but won the last two. I normally lose the first round just because I use that to analyse my opponent - how she punches, how she reacts to punches, find out what her technique is and use that to my advantage in the next rounds.

“I started boxing three years ago but took a year out to concentrate on my exams. I’m back for good now though. I spar with boys at Logan Boxing Club and it’s really helped me, considering I had a year out. I know that if I can beat the boys then I should be able to beat the girls I’m competing against.”

Zara studies uniformed services at Ayrshire College and has aspirations of joining the police – if she decides against pursuing a professional boxing career.

Next up on her agenda, though, is to represent Scotland in a national championship.

She said about her future: “If I win there then I could end up travelling more for boxing. It’s a hobby right now but if it goes further then it goes further. If not then it won’t be that much of a disappointment. I really enjoy amateur boxing.

“I chose uniformed services because I hope to join the police. I’m hoping to do another year at college, move onto university and then join.

“The best thing about the course is that it helps improve my fitness. I’m training here and in the gym, and doing my usual runs in the morning too. Fitness is a massive part of uniformed services. We also work on maths, English, social security, first aid, and leadership.”