Skyla “Full Noise” Chatterton, a 15-year-old Territory student, has won the silver medal in her weight and age division at this year’s IFMA World Youth Muay Thai Championships held in Belek, Turkey.

Skyla, who kicked her way back to international competition by defeating opponents above her age and weight locally and interstate since last year, leading to more victories at the international championships, took second place after being defeated in the second round of the Gold Medal round by a competitor more than six-feet-tall from Russia.

“I want to thank everybody who supported me, and donated and helped me get to Turkey,” Skyla said. “We are all truly grateful and blessed to have such amazing friends, families and strangers supporting me to achieve my dreams.”

Training since she was just seven-years-old, Skyla was selected to the Australian Muay Thai team to represent the country at the championships in Belek, Turkey for the second year in a row – winning bronze last year – alongside the Man Ho Academy of Martial Arts.

The most recent tournament has provided more international experience to help the Territory girl achieve her dream of one day making it to the Olympics, which she knows will involve a lot more hard work.

“Although I have big dreams and a long journey ahead, I am passionate, determined and committed to achieving my goals and representing my country at the highest levels from now until the ultimate destination, the Olympics in 2032,” she said.

“I have been training in Muay Thai since I was seven years old, training five days a week out of Man Ho Academy of Martial Arts, having competed in 11 fights to date at a local, national and international level.”

She represented Australia at the 2022 IFMA World Youth Championships, achieving a first-round stoppage in the qualifying round and going on to secure a bronze medal after only one defeat to the eventual 2022 gold medalist. She also represented the Northern Territory at the Muay Thai Australian Nationals in 2022, going up several weight classes for her only draw to qualify for the Australian team in 2023.

She had also fought in Adelaide’s Pride Fight Series main card (pro show) this year where she secured a unanimous decision victory.

“[Territorians’] unwavering support and belief in Skyla’s Olympic journey has truly elevated our spirits,” her father Dan Chatterton said.

This year’s IFMA 2023 Youth World Championships, the flagship event of International Federation of Muaythai Associations, was attended by over 2,500 participants from over 100 countries.