EASTERN PROMISE TURNS TO WORLD TITLE SILVER

Jun 20 2006 Paisley Daily Express

SCHOOLBOY Ritchie Hocking is boxing clever to keep his place in the Scotland squad after shining for his country at the highest level.

The 14-year-old Thai boxer represented Scotland at the World Championships in Bangkok and came

home with a silver medal after seeing off some of the best Muay Thai boxers in the world.

He just lost out in the final when he was knocked out by a fighter from the Ukraine.

Ritchie, who is just back from his Thailand adventure, said: “I was happy to get to the final but I wish I had won it and got a gold. I was disappointed in myself. My headguard was quite loose and it slipped down.

“The fighter from Ukraine managed to hit me on the head and I was knocked out.

“He was a very big hitter but I’m sure I could have done much better if my headguard hadn’t slipped.”

Ritchie, who lives in Johnstone, spent three weeks in an intensive training camp and a week at the tournament where he impressed.

Back home and ready to fight for his place in the national squad, the youngster said: “The whole trip was absolutely brilliant. There were a lot of people taking part and watching and I had a lot of fun.

“I beat a fighter from Denmark and another from Italy and faced a guy from the Ukraine in the final. I just wish I’d won.”

He returned with a Muay Thai World Championship silver medal round his neck and a desire to add to his already impressive trophy haul.

It was while winning the Power of Scotland tournament at Braehead Arena that Ritchie impressed the Scottish coaches and was asked to represent his country in Thailand for his weight group.

Ritchie weighs 63kgs and is tall for his age, meaning he often comes up against older boys.

But that has not stopped him gaining his Red Arm Band award in Thai Boxing, the equivalent of Karate’s Black Belt and the highest possible level in the sport.

But the World Championships was Ritchie’s first taste of fighting at the very highest level — and his performance was remarkable.

Ritchie, a pupil at Johnstone High, has been Thai Boxing since he was eight years old and he trains every week night at centres in Johnstone, Paisley, Glasgow and Barrhead.

His mum, Tracy, has the job of driving Ritchie to all his classes but it doesn't bother her one bit.

She said: “I’m very proud of him and I love that he has something that he enjoys doing so much.

“I enjoyed the month’s peace and quiet when he was away in Thailand though! But it is great to have him back and I’m pleased he did so well.”

Scotland won four silvers and one bronze medal overall and Ritchie would love to be a part of the squad in years to come.

He said: “I will keep training hard for the next competition and this is definitely something I want to do in the future.

“I have just got to keep doing well and hopefully I will be in the Scotland team again.”

Ritchie and Tracy say the trip wouldn’t have been possible without the help of sponsors who made the journey to Thailand possible.

“Houston’s gave Ritchie a kilt, the Braehead Tavern in Bishopton raised funds through a raffle, the West Johnstone Learning Centre and Lloyd Cochrane also backed his bid. Thanks to all of them.”