A gym and mixed martial arts academy based in Kelham Island recently celebrated its second birthday after two members were rewarded with silverware for their efforts.

Amy Dalrymple, who has attended Unrivalled MMA for two years, won her first competitive fight last month in a local match at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.

Speaking about the experience, Amy said: “It was really scary initially, but I’m so glad that I did it.

“I just felt so tired, so heavy. But then I went into that third round and something just clicked for me. It felt like I’d done it for myself and for the coaches.”

She was joined in her success by the recent victory of Adam Clarke, a fellow Unrivalled member who won a no-gi grappling bout in Manchester along with a belt for an MMA victory last June.

The gym was founded two years ago by coach Brett Baker, a former MMA fighter who made the decision to train others after a period of illness.

Commenting on the success of the fighters, Mr Baker said: “I’m just really in awe of a lot of the people who come in and put the work in and the achievements they have.

“I’m not just teaching them what I know, I’m watching them grow.”

This growth has come rapidly, with the gym expanding to include other coaches and members to spur each other on to success.

Of her own journey, Ms Dalrymple said: “It’s that constant striving to better myself, and be the best version of myself, and that’s how I ended up in my first competition.

“It might only seem like a local competition, but it was an amalgamation of all this hard work and it’s a testament to the club and my teammates that I’ve got to this point.”

After her victory in her first competitive match, when asked if she is looking to compete again in the future, Ms Dalrymple said: “Even if it’s just once or twice a year for me, it’s that self-improvement. 

“I know there’s no pressure from Brett, he just wants me to do the best that I can and that I’m fulfilled by whatever this is.” 

Mr Baker is also looking at ways to promote the sport to youngsters, including by establishing a charity called Unrivalled Mental Health to work with local communities to make the gym accessible to young people at risk of being groomed into gangs.

The project will look to give these at risk young people a safe space and an outlet to get away from street violence.

For people interested in getting into the sport, the coaches encouraged prospective members to find the right gym for them to feel comfortable in and grow by searching online.

They also suggested attending a session with no pressure to get involved immediately, but that being engaged with one another when training began was key.

Mr Baker said: “There’s nowhere to hide on the mats, everyone’s equal when you train in martial arts. 

“You’ve all got to be equal because you’ve all got to help each other. That’s what brings a sense of community I think.

“Remember, everybody started somewhere and the best time to start is today.”