EUROPEAN boxing champion Niamh Mitchell has described the experience of fighting her way into the history books as "surreal and crazy".

The 16-year-old, from Bowhill Miners Boxing Club in Cardenden, claimed a stunning success in the 52kg light bantamweight category at the EUBC (European Boxing Confederation) European Championships in Montesilvano, Italy.

The Dunfermline High School pupil defeated Ireland's Carlagh Mullarney, Hungary's Sara Nyogeri, and England's Keira Rose Bowden on her way to the final, where she meet Cyprus' Laila Abdullatif.

In what tournament organisers went on to describe as a "sensation", the Fifer upset the favourite – who was unbeaten on the international stage, and a two-time European champion – to take the win by unanimous decision.

Niamh's victory saw her become the first female boxer to win gold for Scotland at a major international competition, as well as becoming just the second Scot to do so at the European Junior Boxing Championships.

The talented teenager, who only took up the sport three-and-a-half years ago, having previously competed in kickboxing, is also only the seventh Scot, both male and female, to become a European champion, following in the footsteps of the likes of Dick McTaggart and Scott Harrison.

Speaking exclusively to Times Sport after arriving home from the competition, Niamh explained: "I don't think it's fully sunk in yet, but just the experience was so surreal and crazy.

"I think the most I thought about was maybe medalling at most bronze, but then when I got past the semi-finals, I thought, maybe this is possible, getting the gold.

"I would have been happy with any medal I think. Just knowing that I medalled at the Europeans is a massive achievement.

"The first round (of the final) I felt good. Second round, I kind of switched off a wee bit, but I knew when I got back to the corner, and the coaches were telling me I needed to switch back on and I needed to win that third round. I went out and did it.

"I got back to the corner and I think there was that wee nervous thought that maybe it didn't sway my way but, when he said unanimous, I think that's when it hit me - maybe I could've won this.

"Putting my hand up (the referee, signalling victory), I was over the moon. I can't even describe it; it was just a rush of emotions, crazy!

"It's not even fully hit me yet that I'm European gold medallist. That's crazy, and especially that I've made history for Scotland as well. That's just another thing!

"The fact that I won it, the fact that I've made history...it's just overwhelming.

"I'm glad that I've made my country proud, and everyone close to me."

Niamh, who has ambitions on next year's Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the senior competition in the future, together with the Olympic Games, said that she had never competed in such a high-level competition before.

Prior to it, she had taken part in competition and training camps in Hungary and Serbia, but felt that her win in the first round gave her the confidence that she could go all the way.

"It was the first fight against the Irish girl, and I gave her the first count, and I thought this is possible to win this," Niamh continued.

"I kept winning and then it got to the final and, after the second round, I knew I needed to push through the third and win it to get that gold.

"If you told me that I did this a year ago, I wouldn't have believed you."

When asked how she felt ahead of the final itself, she replied: "I really struggled with my nerves in that one.

"I just wanted to make everyone proud. Obviously, being over there already made everyone proud, but I just wanted to come home with that gold medal."

In last week's Times Sport, Niamh's proud dad, Stewart, told of how he was "lost for her words" after her "phenomenal" achievement, which she said that, while her parents believed she could reach, she didn't think they expected it to come this year.

James White, who along with Thomas Wilson coaches Niamh at Bowhill, having worked with her previously at Valleyfield Miners Boxing Club, said that her performances are "miles" away from her first fight, and believes there is more to come from her.

"She's starting to do things in contests that we've been working on in the gym," he said.

"She's putting wee bits together in fights. When she gets it all right in open spars and things like that, she's unstoppable at times, just because of her physical advantages, and obviously her ability."

Thomas noted: "What we see in the gym's starting to come out in her fights, just with the experience she's getting.

"She's taking every fight, and the experience she's taking with it, and the improvement she's making, is just unreal."

Niamh also helps coach some of the younger members at her boxing club, and said that she hopes her achievement will inspire other girls making their way in the sport.

"I want to inspire other girls, especially my own gym, the younger girls coming through," she added.

"They've all got a wee bit talent in them."

Craig McEvoy, Boxing Scotland's performance director and joint national coach, who himself is a former Dunfermline High pupil, added: "Niamh is relatively new onto the programme.

"She has a kickboxing background, but that doesn't take away from her achievement after seven fights. The Cypriot girl was undefeated at international level.

"One of our priorities is to develop and grow the female programme, and what a way to start!

"She's Scotland's first ever female European gold medal winner, and is number one in Europe at her age.

"It is a phenomenal achievement."