BOXING: TALENTED young boxer Elise Glynn justified her status as one of the sport’s rising talents after winning the gold medal at the European Junior Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The 15-year-old Arden Academy student returned from the Bulgarian capital at the weekend after winning by a unanimous points decision over her Hungarian opponent Begins Kiss in the gold medal final.
Elise – an England international boxer – used her reach and left-hook to her advantage throughout the three rounds to win the final with a judges’ score of 5-0.
And the Dorridge resident now has her eyes set on the Olympic Games following further wins over Russian and Ukrainian opponents in the quarter and semi-final stages.
She said: “It was such a big thrill to take the gold medal, I was absolutely overwhelmed.
“To make the quarter finals, and then the semi-finals, then the final, and then win it was everything I dreamt of and more.
“I’m having a really good year, and I have no doubt that at the end of it this will be my biggest achievement.
“To be European champion is amazing.”
The youngster is remaining rooted to reality though, knowing plenty of hard work remains if she is to make the Olympic Games.
She said: “I’m not going to get carried away.
“I’ll keep working hard in training and hopefully make progress to the GB squad.
“Ultimately my ambition is to represent my country at the Olympics – be it in Tokyo 2020 or after that.”
Proud father Peter said Elise’s gold medal success was the result of hard work and dedication.
He said: “She’s won 13 of her 14 bouts for England and is having a brilliant year.
“I’m so proud of her after taking the gold medal at the European Championships.
“To be there and see her step up and receive her gold medal was something else.
“Elise has great potential and she is working so hard she deserves this success – she’s totally dedicated to her sport and I am thrilled to bits.”
