By RON LANE
FOR the second time in just four weeks, Taylah Robertson of the Impact Boxing Academy Cooroy, has won a major championship.
Three weeks ago while representing Queensland in the Australian Youth Championship, 57kg division (on the Gold Coast) she won the gold medal. Now she has gone one better.
On Friday evening, boxing in the International Black Diamond Tournament, in Poland Europe, she won the gold medal by outpointing her opponent representing Germany.
Since arriving in Poland two weeks ago, this young lady had three fights for three wins. Considering that this was her first time competing in what is referred to as the Elite Division, achieving such results at international level, is truly outstanding.
Following a recent training session back home at the Impact gym, coach Mark Evans told her, “It is about time you started believing in yourself.” Obviously, she listened.
Shortly after Taylah’s win, Brock Shelby, also of the Impact Boxing Academy, made it a double for Queensland when he too won the gold medal.
Boxing in the 92kg division, Brock’s win came via a sensational knockout of his European opponent in round one.
“I think he was pretty fired up,” Evans said. “After the rough house tactics he copped in an earlier fight he was in no mood to cop it again. He went in fully determined, and cut loose.”
To think that two of our local boxers fighting for Queensland at an international tournament against the best in Europe are coming home with gold medals is something we should be shouting from the roof tops. It just doesn’t get any better.
Last weekend four of the youth division of the Impact club travelled to Nerang to take part in a local tournament. Unfortunately two were unable to be matched up with an opponent but Cullen Allman and Ella Boot were matched – with Cullen losing on a split decision and Ella boxing in the novice division winning on points.
The boxing calendar tells us that this weekend, 17 to 18 June, Mackay will host the North Queensland vs Southern Queensland tournament and 29 July will be the State of Origin in Sydney; Qld vs NSW.
Three members of the Impact Academy will box on the Queensland team. We wish them well.
Next major date on the calendar will be the 25 to 28 August for the Australian Golden Gloves. Then in early October Brock and Coach Mark will travel to Tahiti for another international tournament.
Ireland will host a tournament in September and this will be followed by the World Youth Championships to be hosted by Russia in late October.
Members of the Impact Academy will definitely be eligible for selection.
For Israel Kani, his Noosa Box Office squad – now built up to 18 registered fighters – will have eight contesting the Novice Championships 8 to 10 July at Acacia Ridge; followed by a Masters on the Gold Coast in which five will take part. We wish all our athletes the very best. .
