DENTON MMA fighter Izzy Mitchell is still cursing the call that cost her a world championship dream.
But she insists she is taking the positives rather than wondering what might have been.
The 20-year-old, who also works behind the bar at Denton West Cricket Club, flew to Bahrain to have a tilt at becoming the world’s best.
Her quest at the IMMAF-WMMAA championship ended at the semi-final stage with a controversial split decision going against her.
That meant the junior lightweight fight went to Kazakhstan’s Talshyn Zhumatayeva, who went on to win the world title.
However despite her disappointment, Izzy believes she is better for the experience.
She told the Correspondent: “It was a very close split decision, which many people thought I had won.
“But no matter of the result, I had one if the best weeks of my life with the team and I learnt a lot about myself as a fighter during the fight.
“From my perspective there was no point dwelling on a close result because being miserable about it is bad sportsmanship and ultimately it wouldn’t change the result.
“So I’ve taken all the positives from the fight and the areas I can improve and I’m ready to have a crack at the senior divisions next year.
“To be three fights into my career and having claimed a gold medal at the Europeans and bronze at the worlds is a huge achievement.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what experience I can get in the coming years to help me claim that gold at the worlds.”
Izzy, who lives on Ash Road, Dane Bank, raised money to make the trip to Bahrain after being crowned junior lightweight champion at the IMMAF-WMMAA European Open Championships.
And she revealed the journey was far from plain siling but the pros – namely doughnuts – outweighed the cons.
She added: “Our start wasn’t ideal as we were delayed for five hours before being told the flight was cancelled, meaning we arrived two days later than scheduled making us miss the opening ceremony.
“We were all gutted about that but we made it in one piece and were glad when we finally got there.
“And win, lose or draw, the post-fight Krispy Kreme doughnuts and friends were great.
“This trip will be memories I’ll never forget and I’m excited to see what next year brings.”