A team of local fighters have been praised for their efforts at a Thai championship

A team of fighters from two southwest Sydney gyms, aged 10 to 17 have chalked up major success at a championship tournament in Thailand

Callyum McAlister, 15, and Saffiyah El-Chrafi, 10, were members of a team of fighters representing Australia at a recent championship in Thailand. They train at the Final Round gym in Prestons. Picture: Ian Svegovic

A team of young ­champion fighters have represented Australia at the Thai Martial Arts Games in Bangkok.

One of them was Saffiyah El-Achrafi, 10, who trains at Final Round Gym in Prestons under the tutelage of her father Hassan El-Achrafi. She came away from her own spirited battle with a silver medal.

Saffiyah El-Chrafi, 10, came home with a silver medal after representing her country at the championship competition in Bangkok. Picture: Ian Svegovic

“I got a silver medal, which I was happy about,” Saffiyah said. “My dad is a tough coach but he really inspires me.”

The first-ever Australian team included muay thai fighters from Final Round Gym and boxers from Brotherhood Boxn in Greenacre. Mr El-Chrafi said it was a great experience for his young charges, who competed against 50 other countries.

Cayllum McAlister, 15, and Saffiyah El-Achrafi, 10. Picture: Ian Svegovic

“When we went to Bangkok, they were up against professional fighters who had done dozens of fights,” Mr El-Achrafi said. “It was nerve-racking because most of our team was quite fresh, but it was a good experience for them.”

The Australian team’s junior fighters ranged from 10 to 17 years old. Final Round fighter Cayllum McAlister, 15, was one of three Australian athletes to take home a gold medal.

“I was pretty excited,” Cayllum said. “I love fighting because you have to stand up for yourself — you have to rely on your own strength.”

Cayllum McAlister, 15, came home from the championships with a gold medal. Picture: Ian Svegovic

The Australian athletes trained every day of the ­competition in local ­gyms. They finished with three gold and three silver medals in total.

“We hope to take more ­athletes from a range of gyms next year,” Mr El-Achrafi said. “We had (Australian sports brand) Sting Sports help us with sponsorship this year, but we would love to get more sponsors to help the athletes get over there again in the future”.