12-year-old boxer Leila Lord from Alice Springs, Australia, took part in a national boxing training camp for Indigenous athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra. The programme normally accepts participants aged 15 and over, but an exception was made for the young Arrernte representative, ABC News Australia reports.

Training with older athletes

Lord began boxing at the age of six and had her first bout when she was nine. During the week-long camp in Canberra, she completed physical conditioning exercises and trained alongside Indigenous people from different parts of Australia.

After returning to the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy in Alice Springs, the athlete immediately resumed training. She said that taking part in the camp strengthened her interest in boxing and gave her an opportunity to see elite athletes.

One of Leila’s main challenges remains finding opponents: because of her age, weight and size, she does not have enough opportunities for bouts in her hometown. The boxer hopes to compete more often in the future and does not rule out taking part in championships and the Olympic Games.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Recognition for the coach

The athlete’s father, Jason Lord, a former boxer and coach at the family academy, worked at the Canberra camp as one of the mentors. According to him, his daughter completed the same tasks as substantially older participants, including adult athletes.

Leila was considered among the contenders for the camp’s best female boxer award. However, Jason Lord, who was involved in judging, withdrew her candidacy because he did not want to take part in awarding a prize to his own daughter. Later, the programme participants chose him as the camp’s best coach.

At the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy, Jason Lord coaches young people together with his family. The academy provides training both for those who want to compete in boxing and for people who use training for general fitness, rebuilding strength and confidence.

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