Islington BC’s Cherrelle Brown has clinched a bronze medal on England duty – and now she plans to strike gold in Sweden this weekend.

The Islington light-welterweight had to settle for a third-place award after being edged out in the semi-final of the International Balkan Tournament in Bulgaria.

She comfortably defeated Missalaou Rahia of Algeria in the elite quarter-final, but then lost on a split decision to Ukraine’s Nila Lipska in the last four.

But Brown will get another chance to upgrade to a gold medal over the coming days when she boxes at the Golden Girl Championship in the Swedish town of Boras.

She told the Gazette: “I was a bit gutted – I thought I’d done enough to win it, but losing is a part of boxing and it just gives me more motivation for when I go to Sweden.

“My favourite quote is Maya Angelou’s saying ‘you may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated’. I like the colour gold more than bronze and that’s what I’m going for.

“The England coaches were happy with me, so I was happy as well. I’m boxing against people that have had 60-plus fights and that semi-final was only my 24th.

“So if I’m having close decisions against people like that at this stage I take it as a big achievement. Very few get to represent their country in the manner I have done – to come back with a medal is something I’m really proud of.

“For the first time in women’s boxing history, the whole team secured medals and it’s a really good feeling when everyone does that.”

Brown, who won an England Elite Boxing title earlier this year, will go into this weekend’s competition as the top seed in the elite 64kg section.

She is also lined up to feature on Islington’s upcoming dinner show at the Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, on Friday December 4.

Tables of 10 or 12 are available for the show, which will include a three-course meal and bottle of wine, a raffle and auction of sporting memorabilia.

Call 07921 724 601 or email ibcmc@hotmail.com for further information.