A 13-YEAR-OLD girl who packs a mighty punch is celebrating after being crowned a national champion.

Bobbi Bowman, of Thornley, east Durham, was awarded the coveted Golden Gloves for girls after three keenly-fought rounds at the England Boxing Schools Championships in Manchester. She has now set her sights on representing the nation and future Olympic glory.

The teenager, who weighed in a 44kg, said: “I am delighted to have won. I trained hard for it.

“But I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my coaches, sparring partners and my family, who helped support me in my training.”

“I am hoping to get into the England camps now, having won the championships. I’d like to represent the country at the Olympics one day.”

Bobbi joined the Houghton and District Boxing Club at the age of eight to do “something to do keep off the street corners”.

She said: “I read about the club and thought I would come have a try and have never looked back since.

“Boxing keeps you fit. It has given me the chance to meet new friends and new people.”

Among her recent triumphs was a silver medal in the Golden Girl Competition in Sweden, in February.

Bobbi said: “I fought the Irish champion in the semis and won with a unanimous decision, but I got beat by a girl from Montenegro on a split decision.

“I was gutted, but got on to preparing for this fight which was my biggest one.”

She added: “I fought three hard rounds. My opponent’s style in the championships was awkward to get round. She was grabbing on a lot.

“I’ve never fought anyone like that. I gave her loads of upper cuts to the head and body. It wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed it.”

Watching her triumph from the ringside were her proud parents Neil and Clare Bowman.

Bobbi said: “My friends are all happy for me. They come to my fights and support me too. “

Among her boxing heroes are Katie Taylor, Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams. She also takes part in long-distance running, athletics and netball.

Her boxing coach, Ken Allen said: “Bobbi has trained very hard and is really focussed.

“She never misses a session at the gym and has developed to become really good fighter.”

Bobbi, of Peterlee’s St Bede’s Catholic School, has dedicated her win to her sponsor Jeanette Husband and club committee member John Ritchie who sadly died days after her contest.