SHE has already had a hugely successful 12 months – now Hannah Robinson wants to sign off 2019 with a final knockout blow.

The Darlington fighter takes to the ring at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield tomnorrow evening, lining up against Kirsty Hill in the final of the light welterweight division of the GB Boxing Championships.

The 25-year-old stepped up to the senior British squad at the start of the year, and has fought in her first international tournament in Poland as well as reaching the semi-finals of the senior ABAs.

A British title would be her biggest achievement yet, and set her up perfectly for the start of a four-year cycle she hopes will feature an appearance in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and peak with selection for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“It’s been a massive year for me,” said Robinson, who was based in Bishop Auckland before moving to Darlington four years ago. “I’ve been on the GB Boxing programme for a year now, and that’s been massive for me.

“I’ve had the chance to fight internationally and have boxed against all the best girls domestically at my weight. I’ve improved so much and feel like a totally different boxer than I was at this time last year. Hopefully, I’ll show that by winning at the GB Champs.”

Robinson spends four days a week training at British Boxing’s high-performance base in Sheffield, and also spars at Birtley Boxing Club when she is back in the North-East.

She splits her boxing with a part-time job as an NHS receptionist, but is hoping to secure a full-time position in the British squad over the course of the next 12 months.

Eventually, she has ambitions to turn professional, but for now, the amateur ranks remain the best environment in which to learn her trade.

“The last few years have proved it’s possible to make a really good career in boxing as a woman,” said Robinson. “You look at someone like Savannah Marshall – she did really well in the amateur ranks, and now she’s really making a name for herself as a professional.

“I think it’s important to take things one step at a time though. Getting on to the GB squad has been great for me because before I got my place, I was having to work five days a week. I was working from 7.30 to 4.30 then driving up the road from Bishop Auckland to Gateshead to do my training.

“Getting on the GB team has enabled me to go part-time, and thankfully my work have been brilliant with me. It’s helped so much. I’m training in great facilities, with great coaches, and I’ve been able to focus much more on my boxing.

“The next step would be going full-time, and hopefully getting more chances on the international stage. I feel like I’ve pretty much done everything I can domestically – the next challenge is to prove I can compete and win things on the world stage.”

First though, Robinson will attempt to avenge her ABA semi-final defeat to Hill when she lines up against the same fighter in the British final.

“It’s a chance to get my own back,” she said. “I know I didn’t do myself justice when I fought her last time, but I’ve improved since then. I’m fitter, stronger and have learned so much more about what I need to do in the ring. I’m sure she’ll see a totally different fighter.”

Finishing the year as British champion would be quite a statement, and maintain Robinson’s rapid rate of progress.

“I didn’t have my first fight until I was 18,” she said. “So I’ve already come a long way in quite a short space of time. I’ve probably been playing catch-up to some of the girls who started fighting much younger, but I definitely feel as though I’m getting to where I want to be now.”