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ST HELENS girl Leonie Hardman is heading off to St Petersburg to fight for Great Britain in the Muay Thai World Championships.

The 16-year-old from Grange Park is one of only two juniors to be selected in the squad for the next month’s ten day showpiece event in Russia.

She earned her place after winning the British title, but will now face a tough challenge in the junior -50kg category in a sport in which Thailand, Holland and Russia are strong.

However, coach Rick Barnell believes Leonie has a great chance of returning from the Baltic with a medal.

Barnell, based at the Supergym in Knutsford, said: “Leonie’s strengths are her natural talent, which is as good as I have seen, but she also trains hard.

“She is also a bright kid, with a great learning ability, who always takes things you say on board.

“She has done really well and shown what she can do. She has a good chance over there and I expect her to come back with a medal.”

Leonie has been involved in the sport for four years, starting off in St Helens before moving to the gym in Knutsford 19 months ago.

She has been sponsored by Izzy’s Barbers, which has assisted with some of her costs.

Although, Leonie’s trip to Russia is all paid for by the organisation, there is no funding in place to send her trainer with her for the ten-day event.

So now Leonie’s mum Tracy, a cook at Alexandra Court in Thatto Heath, is planning a sponsored walk to pay for the cost of flying her coach over too.

Tracy and her work colleagues will stage an 18 mile walk from Thatto Heath to Liverpool.

To sponsor that walk call Tracy on 07886 806324.