Australia’s largest ever Olympic boxing team will be joined by five Commonwealth Games alumni, with the 12-strong team recently to compete in Paris recently announced. 

It includes Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Harry Garside, Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Callum Peters, and Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist Tina Rahimi. 

Rounding out the alumni are silver and bronze Commonwealth Games medallist Caitlin Parker and team member Charlie Senior. 

The history making squad also includes the first Indigenous woman to box for Australia at the Olympics in Marissa Williamson Pohlman, the first Muslim Australian woman to box at the Olympics in Rahimi, and the first woman to box at two Olympics for Australia in Parker. Marissa Williamson Pohlman

Monique Suraci, Tiana Echegaray, Tyla McDonald, Teremoana Teremoana, Shannan Davey, and Yusuf Chothia complete the squad, with all joining Peters, Rahimi, Senior, and Williamson Pohlman in making their Olympic debut. 

Ngarrindjeri woman Williamson Pohlman and South Australian Peters are the first Indigenous athletes selected for the Australian Olympic Team for Paris. 

The 12-strong team eclipses London 2012 (11 athletes) as Australia’s biggest ever Olympic boxing team, as well as the most female boxers Australia has sent, with the six women to compete in Paris tripling the previous high of two at Tokyo 2020. 

The fighters qualified for Paris by winning the Oceania qualifier at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, with the team nominated by Boxing Australia and officially selected by the Australian Olympic Committee. 

🥊 Locked in on Paris 2024 with the Boxing Kangaroo spirit ⏳#AllezAUS | @Qantas | @BoxingAUS pic.twitter.com/Bp2dhmQR5t

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) March 15, 2024

Twenty-eight-year-old Rahimi, who only started boxing aged 21, said it still felt surreal to know she’s booked her place in Paris. 

“I still have so many emotions knowing I’m going to the Olympics,” Rahimi said.  

“Even as we get closer it still just feels unbelievable. It’s been such an overwhelming response since I qualified, just so much support. It feels so valuable to be able to represent our communities.  

Australian Olympic team Chef de Mission Anna Meares OAM announced the boxers’ selection today, with the boxers in Canberra for a two-week training camp and competition bouts against Team Brazil. 

“Congratulations to this history making team,” Meares said.  

“To qualify our largest ever Olympic boxing team, and tripling our largest ever female representation is an amazing feat.” 

“This achievement is a reflection on each of the 12 athletes, their families, coaches, supporters and of course the fantastic work of Boxing Australia and CombatAUS to nurture and develop athletes to achieve their Olympic dreams. 

With thanks to the Australian Olympic Committee.