A first Muay Thai title win is the icing on the cake for former Great Britain skater Poppy McQuarrie, who is flourishing in her new sport.

Tuesday 10th November 2026

Poppy (16) from Stirling, a HNC Sport, Health and Fitness student at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus, won her International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA) Scotland 57kg title, at the Paisley Lagoon Centre on Saturday 28 August.

Now she is in training for her next tournament in Aberdeen in four weeks time, by training two hours a day seven days a week – and twice on a Sunday – at her Somchai Muay Thai club in Denny.

Poppy spent ten years as a seriously competitive ice skater, even being selected at one point to represent Great Britain in competition. The next step was to try to qualify for the Olympic games, but in her heart of hearts she realised she might not make that leap.

Now she has swapped spins and triple twirls on the rink, for high kicks and Thai Boxing hooks in the ring… and the only ice she uses now is to soothe any swelling on her fists or body after an intense training session or bout.

Poppy, who has been flourishing in her new sport for the last two years, is happy to also thank FVC Gym Assistant Steve Fleming – a former mixed martial arts fighter himself – with encouraging her in training and in her HNC Sport, Health and Fitness course.

Poppy, who hopes to become a personal trainer and open her own martial arts gym, said: “It feels amazing to be a title holder and I am now determined to keep a hold of it. I am now looking forward to my first semi-pro fight in Aberdeen in a month’s time and am gearing up to fighting for five two-minute rounds.

“I just love the competition side of things. I skated at a high level for 10 years and made it to GB team level, so it must be something inside of me that drives me to be the best that I can in anything I do.

“Muay Thai is great, not only is it a good thing to learn self defence – especially if you are female – but it has help increase my confidence and my fitness, so I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

“I would also recommend my course at Forth Valley College as well. The gym facilities are great and so are the lecturers, and Steve Fleming has been so encouraging in relation to my competitive Muay Thai bouts, which has been really helpful.

“I am in full training mode right now and can’t wait to get up to Aberdeen and see if I can add another title to my list.”

Steve Fleming, FVC Gym Assistant, said: “We are all proud of Poppy for her achievement in Muay Thai. Her commitment and dedication to her training has been great and clearly paying off. Here's hoping that Poppy can continue with showing the same dedication to her college course."

For more information on Sport and Fitness courses at FVC visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/sport