By RON LANE
TWO weeks ago, a Queensland amateur boxing team flew to Poland to box in a tournament against the Polish national team. Happy to relate two members Brock Shelly and Taylah Robertson of the Impact Boxing Academy Cooroy, were on board.
News to hand tells us that the trip has so far been a tremendous success. Right from the time they stepped off the plane in Kyrnica Zdroj, a town of some 11, 000 people, our young athletes have received a tremendous welcome. In the words of Impact boxing coach Mark Evans, “The word back is that the kids are treated like
rock stars. The support for the tournament by the locals has been tremendous. A big crowd even turned up for the weigh-ins.”
Arriving with time to acclimatise and settle in, our two locals had their first fight last Friday evening. Brock won his fight by a K.O. in round three. Brock, we are informed, boxed well and in the third he stopped his Polish opponent with good heavy body punching.
In her fight, Taylah boxed well to take a unanimous points decision, winning all three rounds. In a telephone hook prior to her fight, she expressed some concern to her club coach, as her opponent had what seemed the advantage of weight, age and experience.
Monday evening, round two of the tournament saw Taylah record her second win, this time beating the Polish National champion on points. However, Brock lost a points decision in what was a very scrappy push and shove affair from his Polish opponent.
Considering that this has been Taylah’s first international tournament, her performance has been outstanding.
Such has been the support for the tournament that the locals gave the kids Monday off so they could attend and give support to their fighters.
Yesterday, the team travelled to Slovakia where they will take part in the four-day international tournament known as the Black Diamond Cup. We wish them well.
To know that we have two amateur athletes boxing at international level representing their state and indeed their country, speaks volumes for both the youth and coaches of our local community. Well done to all.
