ALLOA boxing sensation Kelly Whalen says she is thrilled to have won gold in her first ever competitive tournament at the Scottish Novice Championships.

The mum of three overcame her pre-fight nerves to become a national champion, and was delighted to see ten months of hard work pay off as she beat the overwhelming favourite Sophie Leatherbarrow in the final.

The Wee County fighter put her heart and soul into her preparations for the tournament but says making her children proud is what makes her victory so special.

Whalen told Advertiser Sport: “I'm over the moon. It's the first time I've ever competed in boxing and I managed to come away with the gold medal so I am chuffed to bits. I've never been so nervous in all my life, it was just on a different level. It was very nerve-wracking, but once I got the medal it was worth it.

“It was worth all the training, the clean-eating and the nerves. It is hard work. It's not just going down to the gym and training for two hours. It's keeping an eye on your diet, it's sparring, it's weights. It's a bit of everything and it all pays off. It paid off for everybody and my kids couldn't be prouder. What makes it so special for me is knowing that my kids can look up to me.”

The 38-year-old, who also coaches youngsters at Alloa Boxing Club, says the reaction of her family and friends made all her hard work worthwhile.

Now Whalen wants to encourage more girls to take up boxing and hopes they can look up to her as a good example.

She said: “My family and friends were all over the moon. My wee boy was ecstatic. I coach some of the juniors down at the club as well and the kids there were all proud of me, which is fantastic because it shows that I have been setting a good example. It's great to have them looking up to me, especially the girls because we are trying to get more of them involved in the sport.”

Whalen originally began boxing in January this year after her son took up the sport and says the atmosphere at the club helped her fall in love with life in the ring.

She added: “Over the last few years I have got really into fitness, and then my wee boy started boxing in December. I went down and decided I wanted to give it a go because I like a hard workout. The minute I started the training I loved it. There is a great atmosphere down at the club and I just love it. It has really helped my confidence. It is like a family and everyone really enjoys going down there.”

The Alloa native revealed that she plans to continue competing in the sport for as long as possible, and hopes that she can keep her rapid rise going.

Whalen said: “I want to take it one step at a time but I would like to carry on competing. I want to keep learning and improving. Every fight is a different experience and you will always take something from it whether you win or lose. The main aim is now to get more experience and get better. I want to keep fighting as long as I can.”