A ten-year-old Arnold kickboxer has fulfilled her father’s dream for her to win a black belt.
Ellie-Mae Pitt used to train with Midlands Kickboxing together with her dad James and quickly showed a talent for the sport.
But in 2014 her and her family were left devastated when James died suddenly of a rare heart condition aged just 34.
One of his dreams was to see his daughter follow him and win a black belt in the sport – telling her coach before he died he hoped she could one day reach the mark.
And last night at Redhill Leisure Centre in Arnold, Ellie-Mae was handed the belt by her coach after two years of intense training.
Ellie-Mae said: “I felt proud and happy – there were just too many feelings.”
Her mum Sarah Clarkstone said: “I’m just so proud of her – she worked hard for this and she’s done her dad proud.
“This was the main aim for doing the black belt – she’s pushed herself to get the same belt as her dad.
“They did lots of things together but this was a special bond that they had together.
“The trained together, he taught her, coached her and encouraged her to come.”
