Broxburn boxer Maddie Clarkson is hoping to complete a remarkable return to the sport by being crowned British champion this weekend.The 17-year-old Broxburn Academy pupil is travelling down to Barnsley in Yorkshire to compete in the British Youth Championships.However, that seemed a near impossibility this time last year as she battled a mystery illness for several months.Speaking to the Courier, Maddie, who boxes out of Forgewood Boxing Club in Motherwell, admitted that it has been a long journey back to being fighting fit and she intends on returning home with a gold medal in her hand.She said: “Obviously things were difficult with lockdown, which made training tough and there were no competitions.“But then in December 2020 I was rushed into hospital with stomach pains and throwing up everything I was eating.
From that December through until June the next year it was constant.“I wasn’t able to keep a single a bit of food down and I was on feeding tubes.
They don’t actually know what caused it. I was in agony. Everything I ate and everything that I drank just kept coming back up all the time.“It was a really challenging time and I do still get flare ups with it every now and then, but I’ve recovered well enough to get back into boxing.”She added: “I’m only really back proper boxing for four months so I was delighted to get the call-up for the British Youth Championships.
But I’m not satisfied with just being there. I want the gold medal.”Despite the struggles with her health over the last 18 months Maddie, who is competing in the youth 50kg category, is full of belief that she can get the job done in Barnsley.Victory would see her become a three-time British champion, having twice won in the schoolgirl category.She