Boxer returns world championship

PCYC Umina Beach boxer Anja Stridsman has returned from the World Championships after falling in the quarter finals to the boxer who took out the competition.

This follows the disappointment of cruelly being denied a shot at the Olympics.

Stridsman, recently trained and competed in Sofia, Bulgaria, as a lead-up to the World Championship selections.

Boxing in the prestigious Stanja Tournament, which attracts competitors from around the world, the Umina girl hoped to see where she stood.

After two weeks of intense training with the Bulgarian National squad, Stridsman moved into the competition proper against the best talent she had faced to date.

Her first bout was against the Uzbekistan champion, from a country with a real pedigree in boxing.

"It didn't deter the Umina girl, who racked up a very convincing win, with the score very lopsided by the end," said Umina trainer Joel Keegan.

The second round saw Stridsman draw a Swedish boxer who had won the Youth World Championships in 2013, once again in Sofia.

"In a very tough bout, Stridsman shocked everyone coming away with an unlikely win against such a seasoned and credentialed opponent.

"Stridsman was too strong and determined for the slick Swede, who had no answer for her strength in close quarters.

"Her next bout was to be her last, as she fell to the Chinese champion in the quarter finals in another very close bout.

"The Chinese boxer was rated number two in the world, and again Stridsman was given little hope of competing at that level, but impressed all watching with a performance that had the Chinese team worried.

"The Chinese girl went on to win the competition in great style, with most good judges coming to the opinion Stridsman had been her toughest test."

Stridsman now waits for notification about her inclusion in the Australian team that competes in Astana, in May.

Submission, 17 Mar 2016

Joel Keegan, Umina PCYC