All three Carlisle Thai Boxing Academy prospects enjoyed some form of success at the Unified World Championships.

Ruby Armstrong, 13, was crowned the 2019 WTKA [World Traditional Kickboxing Association] world champion at the event in Carrara, Italy.

She was entered into a heavier weight category, as well, only to forfeit the final and take a silver medal after she sustained an ankle injury.

Charlie Johnston, meanwhile, enjoyed double joy.

He was crowned the WTKA world champion in his category before entering a European Muay Confederation tournament while in Italy, again coming away with a gold to earn an invite to a tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, in March.

Completing the Carlisle trio, who all attend Trinity School, was 13-year-old Jack McAdam who lost in his final but claimed a silver medal.

Coach Mark Armstrong, Ruby’s dad, said: “All in all, it was a very successful trip for our small Carlisle gym on the world stage.”

Armstrong, Johnston and McAdam joined a strong junior team of 48 fighters from across the nation at the event, which was held from October 31 until November 3.

Ruby came up against close friend Jess Dawson, from Newcastle, in the final, edging the contest.

“That final was a five-round war from start to finish with both girls showing great skill throughout and, at the end of the bout, Ruby was announced the clear winner and took the gold medal,” said Armstrong.

After Ruby had then added a silver to her collection, Johnston beat a strong Italian opponent in his group final.

He delivered some hurtful and damaging kicks which forced the opposing team to throw in the towel near the end of the first round, as Johnston was crowned world champion in his category.

Johnston, 12, also won European Muay Confederation gold in Italy. He defeated a Hungarian to secure that title.

But McAdam didn’t enjoy quite as much joy, losing to a more experienced fighter in his final.

The club thanked those who had sponsored the trip, too, including Vanity Hair, Phoenix Sports Injury Clinic, Iain Martin Weight Loss and Strength Coach, Mr P’s Tattoo Parlour, K.E Plastering Services, Metalwork Solutions UK Ltd and Paul Nicholson.