Mansfield kickboxer Dakota Dawson claimed two silver medals for Team GB at the European International Martial Arts Games in London.

Twelve-year-old Dakota has been training at Raven Defensive Arts, based in Pleasley Vale, for seven years and is coached by Rachael Price and Pete McDonagh.

For the past six months she has also trained with Team GB in Norwich and Redditch.

Her delighted grandparents, Caroline Dawson, and Darren Sheppard, said: “We are immensely proud of Dakota and her achievements with her kickboxing. She is focused and always working towards being the best she can be.

“She received messages of good luck from friends and family as she went to London.

“The support from her club is great, they are an extended family. A big thankyou also to Dave Treadwell and the team at Redditch for their advice, help, and hard workouts.”

Dakota thanked the Armchair Club, a group of Mansfield and Ashfield people who back local sport, and the Lashes Foundation, a charity based in Forest Town and Clipstone, for their support.

At the European games in London she first fought in the under-11/under-13 girls’ kickboxing points category. After winning her heat 14-4, Dakota went on to the final where she achieved the silver medal in a close contest, losing 17-16.

The Queen Elizabeth’s Academy student repeated her success in the under-11/under-13 girls’ continuous kickboxing category.

Again winning her heat, Dakota was then involved in another tight final. Two of the judges awarded the fight to her Welsh opponent, while one awarded it to Dakota.

Dakota, who will next be in competition action in November, is now aiming for Team GB selection for the World Martial Arts Games in Dubai, in autumn 2025.