ECCLESTON Park kickboxer Rachel Hughes is celebrating the English title after a dominant performance at the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes.

The 21-year-old former Rainhill High pupil defeated Middlesbrough’s Vicky Caven to become the English K1 Muay Thai champion.

And Hughes puts the result down to the storming start she made in the fight.

“I felt as though I made a good start and controlled it quite well, especially considering I was expecting to be on the back foot a lot more,” she said.

“I’m disappointed with the last round, but my work in the other rounds was obviously enough to pull me through.

“It went all the way and I didn’t find the three-minute rounds too bad. It just shows that the training worked well and was enough to see me through.”

The English crown follows the north west title that Hughes picked up at Haydock Park earlier in the year and she paid her coach John Hale a lot of credit for preparing her ahead of the fight.

“I was absolutely over the moon when I found out I’d won. I’d been worried about the result after the last round really, so I just hoped that I hadn’t let it slip after feeling so strong in the others.

“John put a lot of time and effort into the training and made sure I was strong, fit and on weight at the right time.

“I really appreciate everything he’s done and the belief he had in me even when I was doubtful. He just seems to know how to get me to switch on and what to do.

“Everyone I trained with deserves credit too for getting me through some seriously tough sessions as well as my friends and family for supporting me.

“I’m just made up that it all paid off and I could perform well for everyone who’s supported me and for myself.

“The venue set up was great, and I had loads of support all around the ring which really spurred me on.

“At the minute I’m enjoying a bit of a more relaxed time in terms of being able to catch up with people and eating what I want for a while but I don’t think it’ll be too long until I’m back training.”