Sharissa Gannaway is determined to win gold at next week’s Junior World Championships after winning three prestigious silver medals in recent months.

The 15 year-old from Southampton was runner-up at the 2017 European Championships in the -68kg category, in Cyprus.

She also won silver at the 2018 US Open Championship after four fights in her weight division before another runner-up spot at the 45th Dutch Open Championships earlier this month.

Now she is focused on her next two competitions in Tunisia.

Sharissa is in a Great Britain team of six for the Youth Olympic Qualifiers (April 6-9) and in a squad of 14 for the Junior World Championships (April 9-13).

Proud mum Eb Ossia said: “Sharissa dreams of becoming an Olympic and world champion and has devoted a lot of time to training with her coach Steve Johnson, the senior coach at British Taekwondo Schools, in order to be the best she can be.

“She currently trains ten hours a week plus eight hours every fortnight at the GB Olympic Academy in Manchester as part of the GB Junior Development Team.

“Representing Great Britain at the Youth Olympic Qualifiers, Junior World Championships and Junior European Championships in November is her biggest achievement so far. “ GB development programme coach, Romaine Bailey said: “It’s been quite a quick turnaround from the European Championships, but the squad have worked hard over the last few months.

“We have a great team heading out to Tunisia, with some new and more established faces looking to leave their mark on the mats.

“As for the Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers, this is a great opportunity for the athletes to go and secure a federation place for their respective weight categories.

“I know they will do their best to qualify ahead of the Youth Olympic Games later this year in Argentina.”

Sharissa’s family are now hoping for sponsorship to help her take the next step.

“All of the competitions she takes part in are self funded,” explains Eb.

“The costs include travel, accommodation, coaching and entry fees whilst overseas cost anywhere from £250-£1000-plus depending on the location.

“As parents, we want to help and support her as best we can. Sharissa has a great future in this sport and is looking for a sponsor to enable her to go as far as she can.”