The boxing medals were decided Saturday at the 2018 Commonwealth Games with the Australian team finishing with an impressive tally of three gold, two silver and three bronze at the Oxenford Studios, host venue for the boxing competition.
Stepping onto the top podium was Anja Stridsman int he Women’s 60kg division, Skye Nicolson in the Women’s 57kg and possibly the standout in the team, Harry Garside who went through five opponents to claim gold.
Stridman’s win was made even more amazing considering the 31-year-old graphic designer tore her anterior cruciate ligament just five-months and came through to win the gold without losing around in her three bouts. In the final, Stridsman won a unanimous decision over English boxer Paige Murney.
Boxing is in the family for Skye Nicolson but sadly the 22-year-old never got to meet a big part of it. Her brothers Jamie and Gavin Nicolson were killed in a traffic accident on the way to training in 1994, before Skye was born. Jamie was already an Olympian and a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, a feat Skye was able to improve on, edging Sarah Walsh from Northern Ireland to get the gold.
Prevailing in the Men’s 60kg was youngster Harry Garside from Mooroolbark, Victoria who overcame a slow start in his bout against India’s Manish Kaushik, before inching the next two rounds to secure a split points win.
Caitlin Parker (Women’s 75kg) and Jason Whateley (Men’s 91kg) took home silver medals, after losing to their opponents, Lauren Price and David Nyika respectively.
Australia’s Kaye Scott was awarded bronze on Wednesday after semi-final loss.
