SINCE taking up Thai Boxing aged just 12-years-old, Amy Pirnie has taken on some of the best in the world.

 

Now 23, Amy from Dalmarnock, has represented Scotland across the world and has notched up an impressive 13 wins since turning pro.

 

Her achievements include an ISKA International belt, an invitation to compete for a world title in May, not to mention a double-page feature in the Evening Times back in 2009.

 

Having dedicated her teenage years and early 20s to the sport, she is now reaping the benefits.

 

“I won some British titles as a kid - at 15 and 16 I represented Scotland at the IFMA (amateur) World Championship - both years I brought home gold.

 

“At the 2008 Busan Games I was one of the first people to bring home two gold medals at the one event over the junior and adult category in my weight class.

 

“I also won the best female junior prospect of the competition that year.”

 

Behind her success is Amy’s drive to become the best she can possibly be, which means dedicating almost every second to training.

 

Instructor and Scotland team coach Rab Izat has trained Amy since she joined the Phoenix Thai Boxing Club at the Halfway Recreational Centre in Cambuslang in 2005.

 

As well as taking part in the sport, the 23-year-old completed a degree and is now embarking on a career as a Sports Therapist.

 

As part of her training schedule, Amy undergoes a similar regime as athletes in Thailand.

 

Last month, she travelled to the country to train for three weeks.

 

During her time there, she lived like her Thai counterparts, training twice a day, upping her fitness and learning inside tricks.

 

Back home, a typical day for Amy involves waking up at 4.45am for running and training sessions.

 

She says: “I wake up early to train before work, I train every evening after work and most days I train in between too.

 

“I get so much satisfaction from it because I'm getting fitter stronger faster and each time I train. I'm one step closer to my goals.”

 

Three days a week, Amy trains strength and conditioning, the other two involve interval training.

 

She will head to the gym in the evenings for a few hours while weekends involve sparring on a Saturday before finally getting a bit of rest on a Sunday.

 

Hard work has definitely paying off with a whole host of achievements to draw on.

 

Amy says: “Throughout my 12 years in the sport there has been loads of ups and downs, having both success and failure. I can honestly say I am happy with all of my achievements so far and each one is important.

 

“I am fighting on Yokkao 24 in Bolton later this month, against a very tough opponent Dakota Ditcheva.

 

“This will be a test for me but I am more than ready for the challenge.

 

“Following that I will be competing for my first pro world title under the ISKA federation. This will take place in Paisley Lagoon on Ultimate Muay Thai 4 event May 13 against a very experienced Spanish opponent.

 

“I would like to to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors at Yokkao for their continued support.

 

“To my fantastic coach Rab Izat, my training partners at Inferno and Team Braveheart, Craig Cameron at Relentless Strength, Kat Russell at Sports Life Work, Ross Lockhart from Lockhart Travel and final thank you to my Mum, Dad, Lauren and Kayleigh and family.”