RIO TEAM: Three of Australia’s best boxers have proven they’re ready to pack a punch at Rio, after today being selected on the 2016 Australian Olympic Team.

Shelley Watts, Daniel Lewis and Jason Whateley have been announced as Australia’s newest Team members at the AIS at Canberra, after all finished in the top three places at the Asia/Oceania Qualifiers in China earlier this month.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shelley Watts secured qualification by finishing second at the tournament, which she said was a weight lifted off her shoulders.

“Relief was prominent emotion I felt after won my semi-final and qualified for Rio,” said the 27-year-old.

“I’ve put in so much work so all I felt was relived.”

Watts is leading the way for Australia’s female boxers, proving in 2014 that she can truly make it with the best in the world after she claimed Commonwealth Games gold.

The 60kg boxer recently chalked up  her seven-fight undefeated but then lost the final match at the qualifiers, which she said has made her more determined to stand only at the top of the dais.

She said her unorthodox style can help her get there.

“My style is different, especially among the top 10 boxers in the world. I like to shake it up.”

Watts’ entry into the sport can be traced back to a severe sporting injury. In 2009 she thought she might never play sport again after she tore were ACL on the football pitch. She went into the boxing ring for rehabilitation and has never looked back.

Now all she can think about is putting on her Olympic uniform for the first time.

“Thinking about the Olympic blazer puts the biggest smile on my face.”

After the Australian Olympic Committee launched the Sportscraft Opening Ceremony uniform earlier this month, Watts used the peppermint green striped blazer as inspiration.

“I visualised myself wearing my Olympic blazer before I stepped into the ring for my semi-final.”

Watts knows there’s more hard work to come, but she’s excited to sit down with her coach and plan the next few months before the Games.

“In the next 17 weeks I want to leave nothing in the tank.”

Watts is also passionate about proving to Australia that boxing is a gender equal sport and isn’t quite as ferocious as most might think. 

“I want to prove that boxing is not a violent or aggressive sport and I hope to be a positive influence for women in sport.”

Joining Watts on the 2016 Team are Daniel Lewis and Jason Whateley, who both finished third at the qualifying tournament to secure their spot.

The pair have both had long and winding roads to Rio.

Whateley’s boxing career began when he was invited to participate in an amateur boxing competition labelled “Footy Grudge Match” for local AFL players in Melbourne.

After only six weeks training, the 196cm giant beat his opponent and found a love for the sport.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Victorian, who competes in the 91kg heavyweight division.

“I’ve also had to endure a lot of setbacks, coming second at the London 2012 trials and narrowly missing out on two Commonwealth Games selections.

“I just kept chasing the dream and here we are”

It’s been all about balance for Whateley, who has been training three times per day, six days a week.

Whateley owns his own gym, ‘Pure Boxing’, the community at which he said have provided a lot of support .

“I’ve also had to survive life and work. In between training sessions I work so I can pay my rent. There’s not a lot of rest,” he said.

“My clients are unbelievable, they’ve helped me with fundraising and I’ve really felt the community has rallied behind me.

“This is a victory for them as much as it is for me.

“Being selected is unbelievable, it’s a dream come true. The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of all sporting events.”

Rounding out the team is Sydneysider Daniel Lewis, who competes in the 75kg light heavyweight division.

“Being selected is a dream come true and it’s been a long time coming,” the 22-year-old said.

“Going to the Olympic Games is something every little kid dreams of.”

Lewis was inches from making his Olympic debut four years, but broke his jaw during trials for the 2012 Team.

“I was told I would never box again, so I came back stronger which made the qualification victory even sweeter.”

Lewis said he was excited to make the Team, but was devastated to lose his shot at a gold medal at the qualifying tournament.

“I was heart-broken about the semi-final loss”

Heading into the qualification bout, Lewis had to push aside all of his set-backs and focus on the task ahead.

“I was so relaxed, I never thought I would be that calm,” said the 2014 Commonwealth Games athlete.

Since the Glasgow Games two years ago, Lewis has moved up one division from  69kg to 75kg, and said he feels comfortable in his new category.

“Heading into Rio, I’ve never felt stronger.”

Australia has the opportunity to send a maximum of 10 male boxers and 3 boxers to the Rio Games.

Our female boxers still chasing qualification will now turn their focus to the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Astana, Russia in May, while the men have two remaining qualification tournaments in Bulgaria and Azerbaijan.

With only 115 days until the Rio Games starts the Australian Team now totals 92 athletes from nine sports. 

Selected boxing athletes on 12 April:

Daniel Lewis                     Boxing – 75kg            Sydney                 2753       Olympic Bio >>>
Shelley Watts                    Boxing – 60kg            Laurieton              2443      Olympic Bio >>>
Jason Whateley                Boxing – 91kg            Boxhill South        3128       Olympic Bio >>>

*All selections are subject to international confirmation of quota places. 

Ashleigh Knight
olympics.com.au