Caerphilly Boxing Club is celebrating another successful season as the club goes from “strength-to-strength”.
Based near Caerphilly train station, the club was founded in 2017 and now has a record number of members, including 15 carded boxers aged between nine and 38.
The season saw 11-year-old Zak Najmi win at the Welsh Open Championship, earning the club its first Welsh vest.
Zak, who is from Caerphilly, won in his age group at the 48kg category at Sophia Gardens.
The season also saw David Ogden, 35, and Mark Davies, 20, reach the semi-finals of the Welsh Open Championship.
Ogden joined the club two years ago to lose weight and has since lost more than five stone.
Ogden has also won eight consecutive ‘Fight of the Night’ awards, which reward the most entertaining fights.
Meanwhile, Davies, who is aiming to turn professional, ended his season with a victory, defeating ex-professional boxer Jamie Way from Cwmcarn Amateur Boxing Club.
The season also saw 18-year-old Jak Williams reach the championship semi-finals in his age category. Williams will be moving up to the senior category next season.
During the season, the club received visits from then-Caerphilly County Borough mayor Mike Adams, as well as Welsh Boxing Association president Tony Wynne.
Head coach Cllr Jon Scriven said: “It’s been a remarkable two years. It’s flown by and we have achieved so much in such short a time.
“It’s unbelievable and to win a Welsh Vest for the club is a dream come true.
“It’s been great to see so many people, both the kids and adults, do so well and make such great progress in the sport. It’s what it’s all about for me, it’s so rewarding and makes all the hard work, time and effort that we all put in to the club all worth while.”
Cllr Scriven added: “We’ve gone from strength to strength. We run sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and we have a three-page waiting list of people who would like to join.
“Many of the kids have been with us since the start and we now have eight kids who are carded.”
Coach Michael Ward said: “Being part of such a successful club is so rewarding, seeing what boxing is doing for everyone, especially the kids, both physically and mentally is a fantastic achievement. I’m very proud.”
Zak’s father Mason Najmi, who is also a coach at the club, said: “I’m so proud of what everyone has achieved and very grateful to be given the opportunity to be helping out and working alongside everyone.
“What Jon and Michael have done with this club is brilliant. It’s been such an asset to our community and giving back to our community is what it’s all about for me.”