Chesterfield's Jade Ashmore strikes gold on return to the ring

Ashmore won in the 54kg category at the coveted Golden Girl Championship - dubbed 'the biggest female boxing tournament in the world' - held in Sweden.

She saw off two Finnish opponents at the Boras-based tournament, which took place between 31st January and 2nd February, for the East Midlands squad.

A high profile field of female competitors from around the globe were present to test themselves against fellow elite athletes on the hunt for honours.

And it was Ashmore, of Chesterfield Amateur Boxing Club, who won one of the medals on her return - fighting at a higher weight category than normal.

"Banging start to the year. Big thanks to all my team and sponsors. All the early mornings and late nights paid off!

"Thanks to everyone who is part of my team. My coaches, therapists, my sponsors but most importantly my family who have to put up with me every day," she said.

Ashmore, who works as a personal trainer and also boxing coach, is no stranger to the international arena and the rigours of training for an elite event.

She scored a standing count against Jonna Hakkarainen in the tournament's semi-final, with the Chesterfield boxer winning on a split decision against a tough opponent.

And followed that up two days later in the final when she took on Anna Jutila.

Ashmore dominated the bout from start to finish as she forced her opponent to chase and punch the air, while the Brit scored tellingly from effective combinations and repeatedly hurled the Fin to the floor on one occasion.

It marks a promising start to 2020 for Ashmore as she targets a place on Team GB.

She will be back in the Chesterfield ABC gym this week working to get down to her known 51kg category in time for the English National Championships in April.