Eight weeks of non-stop training has led to Busselton based boxer Karen Nicholls winning her first state masters title.
This isn't the only time Nicholls has had a taste of success, in fact she won three national titles before claiming the state one on October 16.
Nicholls began her journey in boxing when she started doing pad work with Peter Stokes from Denning Road Boxing Gym in Bunbury in 2015
After seeing she had a thirst for a challenge, Stokes suggested she try the technical classes.
"It was good fun and I was learning a new skill," she said.
In 2016, Stokes suggested Nicholls get involved in the charity fight night they were holding.
"I was really excited because I had been training for a year and been sparring," she said.
Current coach John Hinsey said once Nicholls won that charity fight, she loved it and wanted to see how far she could go.
It was slow going at the start as there weren't many boxers in the masters category at the time.
Nicholls said in order for her to get some fight experience she had to do exhibition fights with women a lot younger than her 54-year-old self.
"Age didn't bother me because everyone I train with at the gym is younger than me as well," she said.
Nicholls had her first national competition in Queensland where she won in a technical knockout.
Since then she has lost a couple of fights but in split decisions.
Hinsey said Nicholls was very dedicated to the sport and had the perfect lead up to the state title.
"The preparation this time was the best we have had," he said.
"We knew how Karen was progressing better than Karen was."
Nicholls' technical coach Dave said she was on fire with her training.
"It would have been a waste for her not to fight," he said.
Less than a week before the fight, Nicholls found out she was put up a weight class.
"Coaches just worked out a strategy to get around that," she said.
Hinsey said it was Nicholls' experience in the ring which gave her an advantage over her bigger and taller opponent.
Both her coaches said that they knew she had the fight in the bag in the first round.
"As soon as Karen hit her a couple of times she [opponent] shrunk," Dave said.
Nicholls will take a rest over Christmas and get straight back into training in the New Year for the national competition to be held in Perth in April.
"Now we just maintain where we are and she will be fine," Hinsey said.