Ashingdon kickboxer Melany Spicer has made it three wins out of three in the British WKO open championships.

The 19-year-old added this title to the ones she won in 1998 and 1997 and is now hoping to represent the UK at the world championships in Italy this November.

"It feels great. I got such a great buzz when I won it," said Melany after taking the title in Nottingham.

"I had two fights lined up but one girl decided not to fight. I did two rounds with her and won. She was a second dan black belt, but I did not give her a chance to hit me."

Melany, of Alexandra Road, is now aiming to have another crack at the world championships after injury ruled her out of the bi-annual event in 1997 held in Croatia.

"I won my first fight but could not continue because of an injury which meant I could not kick, which is my main fighting move," added Melany.

To make matters worse, Melany also missed out on the bi-annual European championships last year through injury too.

She is now trying to organise sponsorship to cover the cost of fighting for Britain in Italy.

Melany first took up kickboxing ten years ago after her brother Martin, 17, started doing the sport.

She was bitten by the bug and trains hard to keep on top of the game, said Melany's father Frank.

"I'm really proud of her," he added. "I feel like jumping on top of the world and telling everyone about her."

When Melany is not training with a punchbag, pads and sparring, she is busy running the Silver Dragons Karate Club, which meets at Hawkwell village hall in Main Road every Thursday between 6 and 9.30pm.

Brother Martin helps run the club, of which 28-year-old Lee Perry, of Winchester Drive, Rawreth, is also a member.

Lee took a silver medal in the men's under-89kilo event at the British championships after winning gold last year.

l If you would like further information on the club or to sponsor Melanie contact her on 01702 542932.

<LI Getting a kick out of it - medal winners Melany Spicer and Lee Perry get down to some sparring

Picture:MIKE NEVILLE

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