Australian Boxers Aim For World Championships

Anja Stridsman and Skye Nicholson both faced one of the toughest tasks in Australian boxing last year.

They had to beat Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Shelley Watts, to try and earn the right to compete for the 60kg spot at the Rio Olympics.

Ultimately it didn’t happen, although both put up very impressive performances before losing on points.

This weekend Stridsman and Nicholson will change weight divisions in an attempt to qualify for the Australian team for this year’s women’s boxing World Championships.

With only three Olympic weight divisions for female boxers, it means for many athletes the World Championships are their chance for glory.

Stridsman has dropped down to the 57kg division, while Nicholson will try her luck in the 64kg division.

Watts, her Glasgow teammate, Kristy Harris, and Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist, Caitlin Parker, won’t be in Perth this weekend because they are in the Philippines preparing for Olympic qualifiers.

Stridsman has left no stone unturned in her preparation for this weekend, spending time training in Bulgaria in the lead up to this event.

She will need to be at her best, with last year’s 57kg champion Cassie Axon, and three-time national champion, Emma Carruthers, also in the mix.

The late withdrawl of Victoria’s 64kg national titleholder, Alison Allan, will take some of the pressure off Nicholson.

One of the most exciting boxers competing this weekend will be Victoria’s Stephanie Mfongwot, identified by Boxing Australia as an emerging talent after winning the 69kg title at the 2015 Australian national titles.

With 69kg not one of the Olympic weight divisions, Cameroon-born Mfongwot will need to settle for possible World Championship selection.

But it won’t be easy, with 2015 runner-up, Courtney Devine, and the consistent Jessica Messina likely to provide strong competition.

Bianca Elmir, who returned a positive drug test on the eve of the 2012 Olympics, is hoping to continue her long journey back to the top, but her weight division is set to be one of the most competitive of the weekend.

NSW’s Australian Open 54kg champion, Viviana Ruiz Corredor, and runner-up Rhovie Hulleza will both provide significant stumbling blocks for the ACT’s Elmir.

The 48kg division will pit current champion, Queensland’s Schinead Johnson, against 2015 champion Astryd Carmelo, former World Championships representative, Lauren Camilleri, and exciting newcomer, Ruby Tyler.

The World Championship selection event will take place at the Platinum Restaurant in Westminster, Perth, over Saturday and Sunday.