CHEPSTOW boxer Pat Mullane took gold for Wales in the Great Britain Junior Championships in Scotland at the weekend.

As his coach Steve Woods explained, it was down to Mullane’s determination that he was there in the first place.

“Pat was called up at very short notice,” he said.

“I got the call last Saturday night to say if he could make the weight, they would take him to the tournament.

“One phone call to Pat and he was off out running straight away and ran up to eight miles a day every day.

“We also opened the gym every day to give him the best chance we could.

“I know he was three kilos over the necessary weight just over a week ago (nearly half a stone) but through sheer determination he got the weigh off.

“His semi finals bout wasn’t his best performance but he managed to grind out a win.

“I spoke to him after and he knew he had to box better to win the final."

“In the final he was a lot more composed and won every round by counter-punching his opponent’s attacks,” added Woods, who watched the bout streamed live on social media.

“I am over the moon. This is what makes all the many hours we coaches give up.

“Moments like these are priceless and the boxer will carry this memory for the rest of his life. I am so proud of him.

“Pat beat both of Scotland’s boxers, one who was born in 2002 and one born in 2003 – that’s how they work.

“Because Scotland hosted the championships they were allowed to have two boxers who fought against one Welsh and one English boxer.

“It worked out that he had to beat both Scots, one on Saturday and one today – and he did!

“I’m overwhelmed with emotion. This young man just keeps on grinding out the wins.

“It isn’t always pretty but he fights with so much heart.

“This is a great day for Pat Mullane and for Chepstow Boxing Club.”