Kickboxer Ruqsana Begum fights for world title on Saturday

Ruqsana Begum fights Josefine Lindgren Knutsson this weekend

British and European champion Ruqsana Begum will not let illness get in the way of her quest to win a kickboxing world title this weekend.

The East Londoner - based at the KO Bloodline Gym in Bethnal Green - challenges Sweden's Josefine Lindgren Knutsson for the World Kickboxing Association 48kg title in Hackney on Saturday.

But Begum, who has been competing for several years despite suffering from a chronic fatigue syndrome known as ME, has seen her big-fight preparations further disrupted by illness.

"I've had a virus which has left me feeling really tired and exhausted and that has meant I have not been able to train very much," Begum told Sky Sports.

"You can't do anything about illnesses but I've passed the medical so the fight will still go ahead. I'll have to rely on my experience and the fact that I am mentally strong - that gives me the confidence that I can do this.

"I'm so excited to fight for the world title. It's everything that I've been building up to but in many ways to be fighting for a world title is beyond what I was expecting. I still can't quite believe it. I don't think it has quite hit me yet but it is really exciting.

"I've had a look at my opponent's last fight and she's got a nice style. She looks very good but that's exactly what I'm looking forward to. I want to be challenged and I think that will also enable me to raise my game as well.

"I feel confident because I know on a good day I can beat anyone in the world in my weight category. As long as I put in a good performance and fight well, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't win."

Begum is something of a rarity as a South Asian woman participating at the highest level in sport and the 32-year-old British Bangladeshi hopes her achievements can inspire other women from ethnic minorities.

"I run ladies-only kickboxing classes every Sunday and the response I have had from everyone there and from the wider community has been phenomenal," she said.

"A lot of them look out for me and support me and that's nice for me. Especially as an East London girl myself, it's really nice for me to feel like I am making a difference in my community and for women in sport in general."