BOXING: Kaye Scott believes there has been one big difference in her approach to boxing since last year’s Commonwealth Games.
She has self belief. And it’s going to help her reach her dream of boxing for Australia at next year’s Olympic Games.
This week Scott, Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Shelley Watts, and exciting teenager Caitlin Parker will all compete in the highly regarded Queen’s Cup in Germany.
The all-women event attracts some of the best boxers in the world, providing a great test for the Australian trio ahead of the Australian titles next month.
Scott will be hoping her self confidence will help her get to onto the podium.
“Self belief is an important aspect in the boxing game, and I’ve been building my fighting confidence and belief a huge amount in the last 12 months,” Scott said.
“I'm in good condition, confident and been training alongside top level competitors, so no reason why I can't leave without a medal around my neck.”
Scott made the quarter finals in the 75kg division at last year’s Commonwealth Games, and admitted to feeling ‘gutted’ to be beaten.
2015 has been a quiet competition year for Scott, which has given her a chance to work on her technique.
“Although this year has been fantastic in terms of attending quite a few multinational training camps, hard spars aren't quite the same as a competition match,” she said.
“It will be good to go through the whole competition process of training, tapering, nerves, and fighting at an international tournament, and then also testing the body to be able to fight on consecutive days.
“With 15 entrants it will require four fights in four days to get gold.”
Scott has certainly done the work. She and her Australian teammates spent two weeks training with a top level Great British squad, and then another week of intensive training with Australian head coaches Kevin Smith and Shara Romer.
She’s also spent time training in India and Thailand. And while winning a medal in Germany this week would be satisfying, her main short-term focus is the Australian titles next month.
“The 2016 Aussie titles is that next step in my pathway to qualify for the Rio Olympics,” Scott said.
“The event draws on excitement, nerves, pressure, belief, confidence. I wouldn't feel right leading into the event without all the emotions, it shows that I'm vulnerable-that I've laid everything out on the line.
“I'm committing to make my dream become a reality, and I will be confident that I have done everything in my power to be in the best possible condition to fight, and win.”
The Queen’s Cup begins in Stralsund, Germany, on Wednesday night Australian time.
ROSS SOLLY for BOXING AUSTRALIA