WIRRAL Muay Thai boxer Joe Ryan has returned home victorious after winning the Baltic Open.

A student at St Anselm's, Joe, from West Kirby, flew out to Lithuania with his dad Karl on Thursday, January 31 to join Team GB to take part in the Baltic Muay Thai Open.

Held in Vilnius ever year, the Baltic Open welcomed 143 participants from 13 countries in 2018.

This is the fifth time Team GB have taken part in the competition and took 18 competitors with the likes of David Sinclair and United Kingdom Muay Thai Federation (UKMF) junior English champion Ryan Stockley.

14-year-old Joe won his first battle against a fighter from Belarus and went through to the finals to face an Estonian competitor on Saturday, February 2.

Joe was crowned champion after winning by second round stoppage.

In total Team GB came away with 10 gold medals, five silver and three bronze.

Training and fighting out of 2 Brothers Gym in Birkenhead, Joe had a successful year in 2018, ending in style by becoming ISKA British Champion following a tense fight against former ISKA World champ Josh Ridgewell.