TWO of Bury’s rising sports champions have found success on the European stage.

Muay Thai boxer Ella Thompstone has continued her meteoric rise in the sport by winning two European titles.

Ella, aged 14, and fellow boxer Lewis Bentley, also 14, and another double European champion, will be going up against Cypriot fighters in the ring next month.

Ella, from Ramsbottom, began boxing three years ago and now trains about 20 hours each week at GFC Muay Thai, where Lewis, from Tottington, has trained for five years.

Darren Phillips, who coaches the pair with his son Luke, said: “These are two phenomenally talented Thai boxers. Ella has competed 17 times and won every single time. It is unheard of for someone to go so far undefeated. Similarly, Lewis has fought people from all over Europe and is in the running for a world title.”

Ella dominated in a recent fight against the Belgium champion during a contest in Scotland in her weight category. Despite getting her nose bloodied from an illegal blow in the second round, the St Gabriel’s School pupil went on to become the new World Traditional Karate Association (WTKA) European champion at 54kg.

Two weeks later she returned to the ring in Salford, going up against double world champion Rowena Van Klompenburg, from Holland.

Lewis also starred in the Salford competition, facing North East superstar Brooks Sowerby, where he won a very close split decision in which two of the three judges scored him as the winner.

Ella will be defending her title against a World Professional Kickboxing League (WPKL) world champion in GFC's own show on November 30 in Ashton. Meanwhile fellow St Gabriel’s pupil Lewis will be fighting for the WTKA world title.

Ella’s father Stephen Thompstone said: “We are immensely proud of Ella. She has dedicated so much time to this sport; she absolutely loves every aspect of it.

“Ella would love to one day fight in Thailand. She is incredibly happy and as a parent, that is all you can ask for.”

Anyone wanting information on GFC Muay Thai, based in Cobden Street, Bury, or the show on November 30, should call Mr Phillips on 07939277002.