STOURBRIDGE kickboxer Laura Handy claimed her first title thanks to a unanimous points victory last Saturday.

The 27-year-old is trained at Fury Fight School, High Street, Stourbridge by former mixed martial artist Ryan Norwood.

She took on Cheryl Flynn at Gloucester’s GL1 Leisure Centre in only the fourth bout of her career.

Handy came out on top after the three-round contest when the distance to win a K1 title at flyweight.

She said: “It was a close fight but I'm glad to have won. It was my toughest fight so far.

"I main thing I learned from the fight is that I have to adapt quicker. I started slowly and probably lost the first round, which might also have been down to nerves. I had to come back strong after that but think I am better for the experience."

Handy will now defend her crown at the same venue in November.

"I will let my coaches look into my opponent and tell me the best way to approach the fight," she added. "I trust in there judgment and follow what they tell me.

"It is just great to get a reward for all the hard work I've put in."