RADCLIFFE welcomed home its own world champion this week.

Thai boxer Jussy Lowe returned victorious from America where she beat world flyweight champion Sachiyo Shibata in their championship fight in Victorville, California.

Heroic Jussy has gone from being a complete novice to world number one in just 16 fights.

"It's not really sunk in, it just feels so unbelievable," said Jussy, of Warth Fold Road.

The former Coney Green High School pupil received a winners belt, a gold medal and a black eye for her efforts and is feeling on top of the world.

"It was all a bit of a rush as I was only in America for five days, so I didn't really have time to celebrate properly," said the super-fit 26-year-old, who already held the British Commonwealth title. "I did have an afternoon at Universal Studios though, which was good fun."

And on her return home her proud mum, Barbara, had decorated the family home with balloons and bunting and made Jussy her favourite trifle. None of Jussy's family witnessed her five-round triumph as Jussy feared she would lose her concentration if she knew relatives were watching.

"On top of which my mum would be in the ring with me if she saw me getting hit."

Now Jussy, who first fought in 1994, is determined to make the most of her new championship status.

"I've no fights planned for the immediate future, but I expect I will have to defend the world title soon."

In the meantime she will continue to keep in shape by working out at the Bolton gym where she is also a full-time Thai boxing instructor.