Following his knockout performance at the U19 World Boxing Championships, rising boxing star Cooper McConnell has been named Commonwealth Games Australia’s Emerging Athlete of the Month for November.
The current 65kg Australian Boxing Champion, McConnell further solidified his reputation as a formidable competitor by securing gold at the international event, marking only the second time an Australian has ever won a gold medal at a Youth World Championship.
These remarkable accomplishments demonstrate the quality of training and preparation McConnell puts into his disciplined performances, leading to the Emerging Athlete recognition.
“I’m really excited to be recognised, especially in a sport like boxing,” McConnell said, reflecting on his recent accolade. “It’s great to know that what I’m doing is being noticed.”
When asked about the achievement that means the most to him, McConnell pointed to his triumph at the U19 World Championships. “Winning the U19 World Championships last month was huge for me because nobody really expected me to do as well as I did, apart from the people around me. We knew I could do it, and I did,” he said.
For McConnell, the gold medal win felt like fate. “It felt like it was meant to be,” he explained. “I didn’t go there for any other outcome.”
Looking to the future, McConnell has set his sights on even greater achievements. “My goal is to gain support and sponsorship so I can train full-time and compete at the Commonwealth Games,” he said, emphasising his long-term ambitions in the sport.
Grateful for the support he’s received on his journey, McConnell expressed his thanks to those who have been key to his success. “I want to thank my mum and my coaches, who have always had my back from the start,” he shared. “They’ve been with me every step of the way.”
The Commonwealth Games serves as a platform for developing the future stars of Australian sport and the Emerging Athlete of the Year forms part of a refreshed Awards and Honours program developed by the CGA Heritage and Awards Committee.
The CGA Emerging Athlete of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of Australian sport stars and those that may make an impact for Australia at major sport events in the future.
Over the course of 2024, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses.
Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5000 and the two runners-up $1000 respectively.
