THREE teammates are preparing to fight for glory on the European stage.

Jordan Murphy, 13, Harley Arnett, 14 and Anya Carter, 17, who all train at Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy (DBMA) are part of the GB team competing in the European Championships in Turkey this week.

The trio of Muay Thai boxers, who brought home a haul of two golds and a silver from the world championships in Thailand last year, are hoping for further success.

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DBMA head coach Michael Dicks,a former two-time Muay Thai world champion, has been training with Jordan for nine years, since he was four. Meanwhile Harley joined the club last October and Anya a few months ago,

Mr Dicks said: "They really work together and help each other out.

"These are the only ones we have in the GB team at the moment.

"I think they've got a good chance. They've trained so hard and they've got such good dedication.

"It's their life – it's what they want to do. It's an exciting time for them. It's great to see them doing what they do and getting to travel the world with it."

The Northern Echo: From left, Harley Arnett 14 and Jordan Murphy 13 of Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy who are competing in the European Championships in Istanbul. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo.

Mr Dicks has recently appointed as a GB coach and is taking a team of 18 young fighters to Turkey for the competition.

He added: "I'm looking forward to it, I can't wait. It's exciting to get involved in the next generation in the country. There's some really talented kids coming through.

"The sport has been recognised by the Olympic committee now so that;s something they are pushing.

"The sport is getting a lot of respect."

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The team travelled to Istanbul on Saturday ahead of the competition, which starts tomorrow.

Friends and family will be cheering them on from Darlington.

Holly Murphy, Jordan's mum, said: "We're so proud, It's nice to see it because they put so much into the team and they're so dedicated.

"They do miss out on other things like parties and sleepovers because they've got training or a fight coming up.

"They're like a little family and always supporting and helping each other out."

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