COWDENBEATH boxer Ryan Reekie packed a punch to bring home a bronze medal from a prestigious competition in Spain.

The 17-year-old former Beath High School pupil, who competed for Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in July, was in action for his country at the Boxam Youth Tournament, held near Benidorm in Spain last month.

A total of 81 boxers from 15 countries took part and Ryan, a five-time Scottish age group champion, was in action in the 75kg light heavyweight category.

Former Kelty Boxing Club member Ryan, who moved to Jonesys Boxing Club in Plean, Stirlingshire, after it dissolved, took on Germany's Omar Riedel for a place in the semi-finals and was made to work hard for a place in the last four.

He produced a good performance working to the head and body with double attacks and, although his opponent never took a backward step throughout the three rounds, Ryan's hand speed and fast counters were enough to seal victory by split decision.

Russian Rusian Kolesnikov was next but, in an even contest that saw Kolesnikov take round one but Ryan winning the second, the third and final round was just edged by the Russian as Reekie secured a well-earned bronze medal. Kolesnikov then lost the final to Welshman Sammy Lee.

Meanwhile Lochore's Olympic boxing referee, Andy Caulfield, was also at the tournament overseeing an Association of International Boxing Associations (AIBA) two-star referee judges certification course and he presented medals.

Andy, a former Scottish Light heavyweight internationalist who fought for Scotland at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, officiated at the 2012 London Olympics and recently led an AIBA Year of Africa visit to Uganda.

The visit encouraged youngsters to take up the sport as well as giving advice to referees, judges and officials in the country.