Nicolson Confident She Has Right Style to Win Major International Medals

Australian boxer Skye Nicolson had reason to be pretty happy while she was sitting watching the boxing at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Obviously she was disappointed she wasn’t there herself, especially after winning bronze in a non-Olympic weight division at this year’s World Championships.

But what she saw unfolding out of Rio made her pretty satisfied.

“I feel my style of boxing is what’s winning the medals on the world stage,” Nicolson said.

“Hit and don't get hit. Controlling the fight with speed and movement. Counter punching and skilful footwork.

“I'm very excited for what will unfold for me in my boxing over the next four years and I can't wait to show everyone what I can do.”

The Queensland 21-year-old lost a close points decision to Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Shelley Watts, in the 60kg division at the Australian Olympic trials.

She went on to win bronze in the 64kg division at the World Championships, announcing herself on the world stage and emulating her late brother, Jamie, who was also a World Championship medallist.

Nicolson is currently in Europe with three other Australian women boxers – World Championship silver medallist, Kaye Scott, Youth Olympic Games medallist, Caitlin Parker, and Commonwealth Games competitor, Kristy Harris.

The quartet made a strong start to their European tour in Bulgaria on the weekend, with Parker beating Scott to win gold in the 75kg division, and Nicolson and Harris both winning bronze in their divisions.

The Australians are now at a training camp in Poland, where they will box later this month, and Nicolson can’t wait.

“Life has more or less continued the same since winning the bronze medal at Worlds,” she said.

“My experience there definitely gave me much more self-confidence and self-belief in my abilities, and has inspired me to continue striving to better myself and bring home more medals for Australia.

“I'm expecting tough competition over here in Europe as well as amazing training opportunities we just can't get on home soil. World class training and sparring partners and learning new training adjustments to implement at home, from some of the strongest boxing countries in the world.”

It’s a sign of Nicolson’s confidence that she will focus on the 60kg division in the coming years. As one of only three Olympic weights, it’s extremely competitive.

But Nicolson knows she can match it with the best.

“I will be trialling at 60kg, and my focus since worlds has and will be to get that gold medal on the Gold Coast in my home town,” Nicolson said. 

“I feel I'm constantly improving and learning as I go, and I'm eager to keep developing as a boxer.

“The Rio Olympics made me very hungry for Tokyo 2020 and four years never seemed so close. It was very inspiring.”

With the likes of youngsters Nicolson and Parker continuing to post strong results on the world stage, the future of women’s boxing in Australia is in good hands.