Personality who have made a difference in sports were celebrated at the Daily Mirror and Sport England Pride of Sports Awards. The award was hosted by TV Presenter Ben Shephard at Grosvenor House in London.
Many important awards have been given out on this important night. England’s national football coach, Roy Hodgson, received Pride of Sports Awards, lifetime prize.

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But it was a young 17 year-old United Kingdom female Muaythai athlete, Dakota Ditcheva, picking up the Young Sportsperson of the Year award at the glittering ceremony in London. Picking up the award from Barry McGuigan, a boxing legend, Dakota made an emotional speech thanking everyone who contributed to her award, her parents, her gym, her coach and the art and sport of Muaythai which has taught her so much about respect and fair play in life.
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Dakota, who have won the IFMA World Championship 2 times and also the IFMA European Championship twice, is truly an outstanding athlete. IFMA President, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan was delighted with the news as IFMA is proud of the youth development and if you witness the IFMA Youth Championship, our youth can teach us so much about culture understanding and friendship.
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Valentina Shevchenko, Chair of the IFMA Athlete Commission said that she has watched Dakota at the last 2 IFMA World Championships. Her skills and personality are just delightful and that the future belongs to her with so many opportunities coming with FISU, World Games, Combat Games and so many more.
IFMA would like to congratulate Dakota on this great success. You have made us proud in so many ways and now you have put Muaythai in the spotlight in the United Kingdom.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/muay-thai-fighter-named-young-10504015
http://www.sportengland.org/media-centre/news/2015/november/26/pride-of-sport-awards/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pride-sport-awards-roy-hodgson-6901839