Louis ‘The Lump’ Peel, 12, has been selected to compete at the WBC Muay Thai World Championships in Thailand this June, with him flying out on Monday.
The achievement is the result of years of hard work and success in the sport, which Louis began at just five years old.
Heading out to Thailand will be a proud moment for the young athlete, who is also a keen rugby player.
It is a big few days coming up for the Billinge youngster as he will also play at Wembley Stadium in the Year 7 Boys Champion Schools rugby league final this Saturday, two days before travelling out to Thailand.
He will represent St Peter’s Catholic High School against Deanery in the curtain-raiser before the women’s and men’s Challenge Cup finals.
His father, Mike Peel, who also coaches him at Fighting for Fitness in Golborne, said: “He has trained since he was six, we have been all over the world competing.
“He has just worked really hard and he gets really good marks at school.
“The school have been really supportive.
“He doesn’t have a phone, never had a PlayStation and he does his own class for three to seven-year-olds.
“It’s not going to be a holiday, he’s going to be living in the gym.”
Louis Peel will fly out to Thailand in June (Image: Submitted)
Louis will spend a month in Thailand, training and competing against top young fighters from around the world.
Before the competition begins, he will complete a three-week training camp at the Ramba M16 gym in Pattaya before heading to Bangkok for the tournament.
This is not his first time on the international stage, and he won the WBC World Muay Thai Amateur Championships in Verona, Italy, last year.
Louis has also secured sponsorship from ASW Solicitors, who also support the Saints rugby team.
Support from sponsors and the community has been vital in helping him reach this level.
Louis’ journey has been marked by dedication both inside and outside the ring.
He already helps coach young children aged three to seven at his club.
The WBC Muay Thai World Championships will take place in June in Bangkok, with Louis setting off on Monday, June 1.