Twelve-year-old Anisha Islam is used to travelling far and wide as the star of her own story books.
But the Chadderton girl embarked on a new adventure, representing Oldham at the Yorkshire Olympic Taekwondo Tournament and going on to win a gold medal.
Anisha, from the children's books Anisha's Adventures, joined Oldham Horizon Taekwondo Club in Featherstall Road, where she proved to be a natural at the sport.
Within ten months, she represented Oldham in four big national tournaments. The latest was the Doncaster 1-2-1 Tournament held at the Dome, where fighters from all over the country came to show off their skills.
Anisha, a Year 8 pupil at Newman College, fought fighters more experienced than her to walk away with the gold medal.
Anisha has taken up various activities over the years, including dance and boxing, but it was taekwondo that took her fancy, as she liked the challenge.
Her younger brother Miraaj (5) was so inspired by his big sister that he will be following in her footsteps when he turns six.
Anisha's dad Moinul Islam (40), a senior learning mentor at Oldham Academy North, published the colourful and creative book Anisha's Adventures in 2011.
In the book, Anisha is given magical items by her grandparents - including a necklace that enables her to time-travel.
Mr Islam is in the process of getting more books in the Anisha's Adventures series published.
"I was jumping up and down. She fought a black belt with two years' more experience than her. It took away all her fears. She realises belts don't matter. She makes me so proud," Mr Islam said about his daughter's victory.
