SPORTY duo Petrena Mitchell and Kirsty MacIntosh were preparing to fly the flag for Barrhead at the Muay Thai World Championships in Kazakhstan back in 2003.

The tournament would feature competitors from all over the world, with the Barrhead women named as part of the Scottish national team.

Petrena, 22, had been kickboxing for two years prior to being selected for the team and was training five to six times a week.

She had won a series of certificates, medals and trophies, and was looking to win more prizes in the former Soviet Union.

Petrena and Kirsty both trained at Barrhead Sports Centre and put in a great deal of effort to be picked for the national side, which was proud to boast a British Muay Thai champion.

An excited Petrena told the Barrhead News at the time: “It’s a really brilliant opportunity and I’m really glad to have been picked for the team.

“It’s great to see all of my hard work pay off.”

Kirsty added: “I’m just so happy that I have been picked for this great opportunity. I’m very excited and looking forward to it.”

National selection coach John O’Brien spoke of his own excitement ahead of the event.

He said: “We are pleased to have coaxed ex-British champion Stevie Houston out of retirement to help coach the side and add some experience.”

To help fund the trip to Kazakstan, the team sought sponsors for a series of fundraising events, which included a range of challenges such as a sponsored skip, run and backpacking.