IT may have been the archetypal rollercoaster year for women’s boxer Hannah Rankin – but 2022 holds some special memories for which she continues to be thankful.

The former Hermitage Academy and Luss Primary pupil enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months in the sport, which saw her riding high in May as she successfully defended her World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) super-welterweight titles against Alejandra Alaya, headlining a bustling event in the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, as friends and family looked on.

Reflecting on the event, Hannah, 32, told the Advertiser: “The match in the Hydro was a really special moment for me. As well as being the first woman to headline a fight in Scotland, it was essentially me coming home and the crowd was so special.

“It was a different crowd, too – there were a lot more women and girls there, and it meant a lot to me that I was able to help inspire them that night.”

There have been trying times during the year too. In September, Hannah lost her world titles after a surprise defeat to Terri Harper in Nottingham, during which she sustained a nasty cut near her eye. It was the first time she had suffered such a setback in a match – but rather than let it linger in her mind, Hannah is confident the experience will make her stronger in future bouts.

She continued: “That was a tough one to take and the eye injury made it really difficult to see what was going on. I’m grateful to the person at the local hospital who stitched me back together at 4.30am after the fight. That’s professional sport, sometimes – you have to take the good with the bad.

“I hadn’t experienced a serious cut like that in the middle of the match before. Now I know how it feels and how to react in that situation; it was a good learning experience.”

Around her two bouts, Hannah was able to do some impressive travelling during the year. She went to South Africa with BoxWise, a charity with which she serves on the advisory board, as part of work to help young people build confidence, improve their health and wellbeing and maximise the opportunities available to them.

Hannah also spent time training in Florida, during which she was able to crank up the intensity of her preparations.

This festive period, it is the altogether more quaint surroundings of Luss to which Hannah will return for a couple of days, as she briefly catches up with friends and family, before getting back to training ahead of a busy 2023.

While remaining tight lipped about precise plans, Hannah is confident she’ll be back in the ring before too long – and is crystal clear about her goal.

“I hope to be fighting towards the end of February or start of March,” she said. “In 2023, I’ll be regaining my world titles. There are a lot of exciting things happening in the women’s division at the moment, with some great fighters, but I’m right there in the mix and know what it’s like to be a champion – I’m coming for the titles, make no mistake.”