When the Australian Boxing Team experienced their most successful Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast 2018 with eight medals, they set a new standard for future boxers to aspire to.
With eight debutants in a team of 11, fresh faces will be given the opportunity to do just that in a history making Commonwealth Games boxing campaign.
Arguably the most inspiring debutant to follow will be Tina Rahimi, 26, who will create history when she becomes the first Muslim female to box for Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
Competing in the 57kg division, Rahimi will have her Bass Hill community behind her as she looks to attain gold and break barriers in her sport, just as veteran boxer Kristy Harris did in Glasgow in 2014 by winning a bout on the first-ever women’s boxing card in the historic competition.
Harris (women’s 50kg), alongside figureheads Kaye Scott (women’s 70kg) and Caitlin Parker (women’s 75kg), will also be on the hunt to build upon the past and secure medals as the most experienced in the team.
Scott will join Tony Madigan as the only Australian boxers to go to three Commonwealth Games having attended every Games since women made their debut at Glasgow 2014.
A chance to make history is also possible for Commonwealth Games newcomers Taha Ahmad (men’s 71kg), Edgard Coumi (men’s 92kg), Billy McAllister (men’s 80kg), Callum Peters (men’s 75kg), Billy Polkinghorn (men’s 63.5kg), Charlie Senior (men’s 57kg) and Alex Winwood (men’s 51kg).
Flyweight Noongar man, Winwood, comes into Birmingham having competed in last year’s Tokyo Olympics, while Peters boasts enthusiasm as the youngest member on the Australian team.
16 medals will be up for grabs in weight divisions ranging from 48kg to 92kg.
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Fierce international opponents await the team, including Richarno Colin from Mauritius and Carl Hield of The Bahamas competing in their fifth Commonwealth Games, and Michaela Walsh from Northern Island aiming to become the first female boxer to win three consecutive medals at the Commonwealth Games.
In a sport dating back to Commonwealth Games inception, history is coming for boxing, and the Australian’s are leading the charge.
The boxing competition starts on Friday July 29 and will be held at Hall 4 of the National Exhibition Centre.
