TO CONGRATULATE ANNA CRUTCHFIELD OF TRAVELERS REST ON CAPTURING THE TITLE OF 2015 INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXING FEDERATION WOMEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION AND TO WISH HER WELL AS SHE CONTINUES TO PURSUE AN OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC CAREER.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Anna Crutchfield of Travelers Rest defeated twenty-nine-year-old kickboxing instructor Mary Matia to win the 2015 International Kickboxing Federation women's lightweight world championship, held in Atlanta on Friday, June 26, 2015; and

Whereas, a recent Travelers Rest High School graduate, eighteen-year-old Anna has been boxing for about five years and kickboxing for the past two. Assisted by her boxing background, she dominated the title fight early as her opponent received two standing eight-counts in the first round and another in the second. Anna came out on top at the end of five two-minute rounds to claim the crown; and

Whereas, grateful to those who have helped her achieve success, Anna credits her coaches, Ray Thompson of Upstate Karate in Simpsonville and his son, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, a kickboxing champion himself, with helping develop her kickboxing skills; and

Whereas, the consensus is that Anna, who has a 28-4 combined record in the ring, is the first female world titleholder ever from South Carolina; and

Whereas, this ambitious young woman plans to start school in August at the University of South Carolina Upstate, where she will begin working on a degree in political science. However, she also will continue pursuing various athletic goals, such as making the 2016 U.S. Olympic squad and transitioning to mixed martial arts; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives is proud to acknowledge Anna's remarkable record and looks with interest to hear of her further achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Anna Crutchfield of Travelers Rest on capturing the title of 2015 International Kickboxing Federation women's lightweight world champion and wish her well as she continues to pursue outstanding athletic career.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Anna Crutchfield.