Team NI’s boxers secured two medals out of a possible three on Tuesday as Garyn McAllister and Kaci Rock advanced to semi-finals, but Nicole Clyde fell short.
Heavyweight McAllister impressed in a unanimous points win over Ghana’s Jibirl Muntair, while Rock was equally dominant in her welterweight victory over Niue’s Karen Te Ruki Pasene.
However, Clyde was unable to make it three from three in the first bout of the evening session, falling to defeat by India’s reigning Asian champion Preeti.
McAllister will return home with at least bronze as he weathered an early aggressive storm from Muntair before taking over to the delight of his large support.
“I expected to be out on Sunday, so I had to do a lot of waiting about and it was all worth it as I’ve got myself a medal,” said a delighted McAllister.
“I had half of Belfast there – I brought them all with me. This is a big thing, representing your country at the Commonwealth Games so my friends and family have all come out for me and I appreciate that.”
There was no feeling out period as both looked for powerful right hands and had their success, but McAllister was a little bit better off the jab to win the approval of all five judges.
Muntair’s pace slowed in the second and this allowed McAllister to take over with his movement and jab leaving the Ghanian swinging at fresh air as the North Down club-man continued to dominate on the cards.
McAllister simply had to avoid any slip-ups in the final round and did so, boxing his way into a semi-final with Wales’ Connor Williams on Friday afternoon and a bronze medal.