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Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz |
Nothing gets Sideline Sid steamed up more than a sensational headline that bears no relationship to the following story - especially when this grey-headed sports critic has provided the original copy.
Wearing one of his multiple sporting hats, Sideline Sid spent time in the last couple of weeks providing Boxing New Zealand press releases to the media, about the progression of the three Kiwi boxers who were participating at the AIBA Men's World Boxing Championships in Ekaterinburg Russia.
The AIBA World Championships rank only in stature to Olympic competition, with the 20th World Championships attracting a massive 365 boxers from 78 countries, which were being held in Russia for the first time.
The headline that got this writer with steam coming out his ears, was, 'David Nyika Olympic Qualifying Hopes Take a Hit', in one of the country's major news outlets. After the double Commonwealth Games gold medal winner was beaten in the Round of 16 at the AIBA World Championships.
While the World Championships are a pinnacle event in amateur boxing, the results in Ekaterinburg, have absolutely no influence on qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games.
A convincing victory over a Austrian opponent, set the New Zealand pugilist up against the Russian hometown favourite, who went on to win the Heavyweight gold medal. While Nyika was on the wrong end of a unanimous decision, four of the five judges separated the two boxers by just a solitary point.
Olympic boxing qualification starts in February 2020, with four continental tournaments and a world qualification tournament in Paris in May 2020. The New Zealand pathway to the Olympics, is through the Asia/Oceania tournament in Wuhan China, with qualifying opportunities also available at the last-chance tournament in France.
The reality is that even the 2019 World Championship gold medal winners have to go through the 2020 Olympic qualifying process. David Nyika's Olympic dream starts with a trip to China, with the Kiwi heavyweight who was ranked number six in the world last year, now totally focused on earning a trip to the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The Kiwi surprise package in Ekaterinburg, was light heavyweight contender Jerome Pampellone who grabbed plenty of attention, winning three fights on his way to the quarter-finals. Unheralded and virtually unknown outside the New Zealand contingent, the Auckland boxer continued to step up to the plate, before narrowly losing a split decision to an English opponent, one step from the medal rounds.
Pampellone, returns home with a remarkable top-eight world championship finish, which should open the doors to New Zealand high performance funding. Along with David Nyika, New Zealand now has two creditable contenders for Olympic participation.
On the local boxing scene - four Tauranga Boxing Club members and head coach Chris Walker, are heading for the Boxing New Zealand National Championships to be staged in Hastings next week October 2-5.
Women's welterweight Ariane Nicholson has put together the best record in the country this season, with a ten straight winning record, which includes a Darwin Arafura Games gold medal and an Adelaide Super Eight title.
Michele Nuku who boxes in the lightweight ranks, is another good medal chance with an Auckland provincial title and an Arafura Games bronze medal amongst her spoils of victory this season.
Hannah Walker, will be aiming for her third successive New Zealand national age-group title, when she enters the ring in the female youth 60kg division. The three-time North Island Golden Gloves champion, is one of the rising stars on the New Zealand amateur boxing stage and will attract plenty of attention in Hastings.
The Tauranga Boxing Club team is rounded out by new season recruit Bryce Raynes, who faces a hard road to success in the men's welterweight ranks. However Bryce has continued to step up his performances since joining the Western Bay gym and will greatly benefit from his second nationals experience.