Australian women's boxing trio move one step closer to London 2012 Olympics

By Tom Degun

February 7 - Three of Australia's top female boxers have moved a step closer to competing at London 2012, where the women's version of the sport will make its official debut on the Olympic programme, after securing victories at the Australian Championships.

At the Olympics, women's boxing will feature in the three categories of flyweight (48-51kg), lightweight (57-60kg) and middleweight (69-75kg) and Jessica Retallack and Naomi Fischer-Rasmussen (pictured) triumphed in the respective weight classes at the Championships in Hobart.

Canberra's Elmir took the flyweight title, Queensland's Retallack the lightweight crown and Fischer-Rasmussen, who is ranked the world number one at her weight, won the middleweight category to underline her credentials as a strong gold medal contender at the London 2012 Olympics.

The victories mean that Elmir, Retallack and Fischer-Rasmussen are now likely to go to the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Women's World Boxing Championships later this year in Qinhuangdao, China.

The competition, which takes place from May 21 to June 3, will serve as the sole qualifier for the London 2012 with the top eight in each of three categories set to go to the Olympics, along, with an additional four wildcard places to be added.

Flyweight Elmir was particularly excited to win her category at the Australian Championships after the 29-year-old beat the highly rated Kelly McGrath from Western Australia 15-7 in the final.

"It's been a long, hard road," said Elmir, who has been training in Ireland for the best part of seven months with some of the world's best athletes, including Ireland's triple world champion Katie Taylor, who competes at lightweight.

"My strategy going into the Championships was just to be completely focused.

"I've trained so hard and have a determined mission in my head so I just avoided distraction and stayed focused.

"There will be over 60 girls in my weight division [who are all aiming for Olympic qualification in China] but I am confident I can finish top eight."

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