Olympic boxing hope visits W6

Tuesday July 6, 2010

Budding boxers welcomed a pioneer of the sport to their youth club for a special presentation night last month.

Youngsters at Hammersmith's Sulgrave Club were thrilled to meet Hannah Beharry, who is set to become the UK's first female Olympic boxer at the London 2012 Games.

She visited the youth club on June 22 to present 10 young boxers with a bronze award from the Amateur Boxing Association of England.

The promising fighters, aged 11-14, clinched the award after completing a 10-week course at the club, in Goldhawk Road, under the guidance of boxing coach Leroy Nicholas.

Leroy, 41, who has worked at the Sulgrave for three years, said the novice fighters had come on in leaps and bounds since embarking on the course in March.

"These kids were very raucous when they first came in," he said. "They're still very energetic but they have gained the ability to switch on and focus, and that will resonate with them for their whole lives.

"I have also seen their fitness levels increase. They have become proficient in all the basics like stance, guard and basic punches and have also learned about anatomy, nutrition, the major muscle groups and stretches."

Leroy said the team of 10 would now progress on to a new 10-week course to prepare for their silver award.

The Sulgrave Club will run another novice boxing course, suitable for complete beginners aged 11-18, in September or October.

The boxing class will train on Tuesdays at 6.30pm and it costs £1.50 per session. Places are limited, and interested youngsters should contact the Sulgrave Club manager Nick Sazeides on 020 8748 3561 or email: info@thesulgraveclub.org.