St Ives sensation Shona Whitwell hopes to take her next step towards Olympic stardom in the coming days.

Whitwell has punched her way into contention for the Great Britain squad for the 2020 Games in Tokyo following a fabulous rise into the senior ranks.

The 19 year-old has won the national and GB crowns in her first campaign at this level and also added a terrific victory in the big Haringey Box Cup recently.

Now she is chasing more honours in the European Women’s Youth & Junior Championships in Italy.

And another stellar performance in the town of Assisi will only serve to improve her chances of making the cut for Tokyo.

St Ives Boxing Academy ace Whitwell said: “I never expected to earn European selection this year, but I’ve had an unbelievable season so far and hopefully I can continue it by bringing a medal home.

“I’m enjoying being part of the Team GB programme and I really want a spot in the team for the Olympic Games in 2020.

“It’s important I put in a good performance in Italy and I know it will be a really tough competition, but hopefully I can end the year on a high.”

Whitwell is currently away at a preparation camp in France before heading on to Italy for the tournament later this week.

She has missed training recently due to problems with her wisdom teeth, but she is now back to full fitness.

Whitwell continues to search for sponsorship in the local area in a bid to be able to focus full-time on boxing. She currently has to juggle the sport around work and college.

Her father, and St Ives Boxing Academy supremo, Steve Whitwell said: “It’s really disappointing that we’ve not had any luck on the sponsorship front as yet.

“Shona is the only national champion and GB boxer in the Cambridgeshire area and I would a local company to come on board and back her dream of boxing in the Olympics.”