YEARS of dedication to a punishing training schedule paid off in style for Crymych’s remarkable 17-year-old Croft twins when both stood together on top of the Three Nations Championships podium for the first time at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

Southpaw Ioan was king of the 60kg class, having overcome European champ Adam Azim (Pinewood Star) in the semi-finals en route to winning his second gold in the Three Nations, formerly known as the Great Britain Championships.

He then proved too good for Scotland’s Robert Hewitt in the final - and the unanimous points verdict was never in doubt.

Cardigan ABC head coach Guy Croft looked on in pride as Ioan’s twin Garan subsequently overcame Scotland’s Reese Lynch on a split decision in the 64kg final to make it a Three Nations double.

“This was Garan’s first Three Nations gold after being so close so many times,” said Croft senior. “For me, this was the culmination of eight years’ hard work, to get the boys on the podium together.”

An old boxing rival of Ioan’s, Azim had beaten the Welsh teenager in close bouts on their previous two encounters, after really setting the benchmark in the 60kg class for the last three or four years.

The reigning European champion was looking to capture his fourth Three Nations title, only for Ioan to find his range with straight sharp jabs and back hands.

“In the first round Ioan came out as sharp as I’ve ever seen him,” said Croft.

“It was soon clear to me he was in control. Adam is a lightning-sharp counter-puncher, but Ioan was in and out with his shots, without getting caught - the first round was close, but Ioan edged it.

“The second round continued in much the same way, with Ioan taking more and more control, while Adam started getting a little frustrated and making errors.

“The third saw Ioan completely dominate, landing a string of accurate straight backhands which Adam couldn’t avoid.”

The decision went to Ioan on a 4-1 split, with only the English judge voting against the Cardigan ABC teenager.

Following the semi-final drama, Saturday’s finals proved something of an anti-climax as far as Ioan was concerned, as he comfortably won gold on a unanimous decision against the outclassed Hewitt.

Then it was the turn of Garan, who produced a workmanlike display to edge out Scotland’s Reese Lynch, whose awkward, spoiling made for a messy encounter. Garan, however, still enjoyed some success by landing the cleaner shots and taking the fight to his opponent.

The twins are now taking a well-earned break prior to them moving up in weight.

• Cardigan ABC is seeking new members. Training at the gym off Maesyrhaf is Tuesdays and Thursdays (7pm-8.30pm).