NINE BOXING NEW ZEALAND BOXERS CHASE A OLYMPIC DREAM
Nine New Zealand amateur boxers have set out on their biggest assignment of their boxing careers as they chase qualifying berths at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
The Boxing New Zealand team, left New Zealand on the 12th January 2020 for an extensive buildup in a training camp in Thailand, before flying to China on the 30th January to take part in the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Wuhan, China 3-14 February 2020.
Olympic boxing qualification is determined by performances at the four Continental (Americas, Asia & Oceania, Africa, Europe) and the last chance World Qualification tournament in Paris in May 2020.
Up to five Olympic berths are on the line at both the Asia-Oceania and World Qualifying tournaments, with a semi-final finish securing a place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In the last twelve months several Kiwi amateur boxers performed with distinction on the world stage. Double Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist David Nyika re-inked his world ranking with international success. At the Felik Stamm tournament in Poland, David dominated the heavyweight division winning the gold medal and also being named boxer of the tournament. A three-peat at the Australasian Super Eight and a top sixteen finish at the Men's World Championships, rounded out a very successful twelve months for the New Zealand heavyweight.
Arguably the most improved boxer in New Zealand last season, was Jerome Pampellone who came from the shadows on the world stage, to finish in the top eight at the World Championships. Many ringside at the World titles in Russia, were hugely impressed after the Kiwi fighter earned a unanimous points decision over the world number three, in the light heavyweight class in the round of sixteen.
New Zealand female flyweight Tasmyn Benny, also experienced her time in the international spotlight after winning her way to the gold medal contest at the Boxing Valenciana tournament in Spain. After a stirring contest, the New Zealander was on the wrong end of a close decision returning home with a silver medal.
The three other New Zealand female Olympic qualifying tournament competitors, in Amy Andrew (57kg) Troy Garton (60kg) and Ariane Nicholson, have gone on to frank their form in international competition.
Dominic Roe earned a place in the New Zealand team after defeating Wendall Stanley, who had won boxer of the tournament at the 2019 Taipei Cup in Taiwan, with a hard fought split decision at the 2019 BNZ National Championships.
Ryan Scaife has dominated the middleweight ranks in the country in recent seasons winning the national crown from 2016 to 2019 – while Canterbury’s Uila Mau’u impressed many at the 2019 National titles, when he won his first title with a knockout in the opening stanza.
Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament - Wuhan, China 3-14 February 2020
Boxing New Zealand Team
F 51kg Tasmyn Benny (South Auckland)
F 57kg Amy Andrew (Manawatu)
F 60kg Troy Garton (Shamrock)
F 69kg Ariane Nicholson (Bay of Plenty)
M 69kg Dominic Roe (Auckland)
M 75kg Ryan Scaife (Wellington/Hutt Valley)
M 81kg Jerome Pampellone (Auckland)
M 91kg David Nyika (Auckland)
M 91+kg Uila Mau'u (Canterbury)
Head Coach: Billy Meehan Assistant Coach: Thomas Rangiawha
World Olympic Qualifying Tournament - Paris France 13-24 May 2020
Article added: Friday 17 January 2020