BOURNEMOUTH boxing star Raven Chapman will explore her fascination with martial arts on a month-long visit to China.

The 23-year-old, who was crowned Dorset's best senior boxer for the 2016-17 season, is travelling to the Far East with the blessing of GB Boxing – on the condition she lets them in on any training secrets she discovers during her stay.

Chapman is taking advantage of an opportunity presented by the University College of Football Business (UCFB).

She is studying for a sports journalism qualification at UCFB's Wembley Stadium hub, alongside her increasing commitment to her sport, which includes fortnightly four-day camps with the GB women's development squad in Sheffield.

National champion in 2016 and a silver medallist in the recent Haringey Box Cup, Chapman first sated her fighting instincts by training in kickboxing on the cusp of her teenage years and has tried her hand at various other martial arts.

Chapman will not be neglecting her bread and butter while she is in China, but is convinced the chance to learn the nuts and bolts of a host of other sports will aid her bid to represent England at next year's Commonwealth Games.

She told the Daily Echo: "It is so valuable to see how people train in different sports and circumstances – and I find all martial arts really interesting.

"As soon as I saw there was a chance of doing this, I went for it. Being able to train in so many Chinese sports will be fascinating.

"GB Boxing are happy for me to go, they believe the experience will help my development. And they have asked me to let them know if I pick up anything new that can help us in future!

"I tried kickboxing when I was younger – and kung fu when I was very, very young! And I have had a go at Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

"I will keep up my boxing training at the same time, though. I am aiming to go into Shanghai to train in some of their amateur boxing gyms. It will be another chance to learn some different techniques and things that will help me when I come home."