Parker Ready to Build on Her Boxing Potential

Australian boxer Caitlin Parker has come up with a foolproof plan to ensure she qualifies for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Her strategy is based around becoming so darn good that any decision is taken out of the judges hands, her wins will be so blatant no-one would dare award a decision against her.

It’s not that the 20-year-old is blaming judges for not getting to the Rio Olympics, it’s just that every time she was involved in a close fight, the decisions seem to go against her.

Since missing qualification for Rio she’s taken a break, but is now ready to step up to the plate again on a tour of Europe.

“To get so close to making the 2016 Olympic team and going down in a couple of tough decisions was very hard for me and to medal at the Olympic Games has always been my goal,” Parker said.

“I feel like the break did me a lot of good, and I feel so hungry to get to the top now and to train and work so hard that the decisions won't be left to the judges, it will be that blatant.

“Through the lengthy process I know now that I need to step it up to a whole new level for the 2020 Olympic Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

Like everyone else who devoted four years to trying to qualify for an Olympic Games, only to fall at the final hurdle, missing Rio was a bitter pill for Parker to swallow.

She spent a lot of time going over the ‘what if’s’, and plotting how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“It was extremely difficult,” Parker said.

“I took the decision and I played the bout over and over in my head to see what I need to improve on. After I lost a split decision to the home country in Kazakhstan and my 2016 Olympic Dream was over I had to face it and I'm so glad I had an amazing team who supported each other.

“(Fellow boxer) Kristy Harris and I were both going through the same thing and went on a bit of a holiday after, it was good to chill out with someone on the same level.”

Parker is in Europe this month with Harris and world championship silver and bronze medallists, Kaye Scott and Skye Nicolson, and will compete at tournaments in Bulgaria and Poland.

The former Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist is the first to admit she has learned a lot in the past four years, and she’s hoping to soak up more experience attending international training camps during her European tour.

She’ll be rubbing shoulders, and trading blows, with world-class athletes, a rare opportunity for Australian-based boxers who yearn for top-level opportunities. 

“I have definitely learnt a lot through this experience,” Parker said.

“I am so thankful for my home coaches, Fox and Sean Nash, and Australian coach Kevin Smith for all the hard work they have put into me to help me succeed.

“I can say without a doubt that I wouldn't be where I am without the advice and guidance of my coaches.”

And her goals for the future? Gold on the Gold Coast and in Tokyo, obviously. And if determination is anything to go by, Parker already has one foot on the podium.