Para Hills Amateur Boxing Club’s Edgardo Coumi wins nationals, makes Commonwealth Games as heavyweight

A heavyweight boxer has fulfilled a lifelong dream and has set his sights on winning gold as he prepares to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games.

A local heavyweight boxer has achieved his dream by winning qualification into the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Para Hills Amateur Boxing Club’s Edgardo Coumi won three bouts in three days during April’s national championships in Melbourne to earn qualification as Australia’s lone heavyweight at the games.

The 26-year-old recently returned from a training camp in England, and is now hungry for more success.

“I’m definitely aiming to win gold,” Coumi said.

“I’m really confident I’ll get a medal and I’m putting the work in to make sure I can contend for the top achievement.”

Edgardo Coumi shows off his national championships gold medal in Melbourne. Picture: Edgardo Coumi

Coumi’s father, Charlie, has been running the Para Hills Amateur Boxing Club for over 30 years, and the keen athlete started training at 16.

He soon developed into a strong fighter under his father, as well as coaches Geoff Cowell and Vinney Decristofaro, and his brother and training partner, Phidias.

“It was challenging at first - I’ve continued to have my ups and downs but I’ve loved it,” Coumi said.

“I eventually progressed and won my first nationals in 2018 but was injured for next nationals and then experienced a couple setbacks when Covid hit, but heading into this season I’ve prepared very well.”

Off the back of his diligent off-season training for the heavyweight class, Coumi had his body in top shape for this year’s nationals.

Edgardo (middle, right), with father Charlie (middle, left) and fellow Para Hills boxers David Biddle (left) and Adrian Cammarano in 2019. The club won the Boxing SA Club of the Year award in 2015. picture: Bianca De Marchi

In what he said was his final realistic shot at making the Commonwealth Games, he won three bouts in three days against Victorian, Western Australian and New South Wales competitors to earn qualification.

“It was a win or go home situation in every fight, but I made sure to leave everything in the ring knowing it was probably my last chance at ever qualifying,” Coumi said.

“Three fights in as many days is gruelling mentally and physically but I made sure to stay confident and recover well, and it paid off.”

“The feeling of winning through by decision on the final day was surreal, and it only hit me what I’d achieved in my training camp in England.”

Picture, Edgardo Coumi

At his recent training camp in England, Coumi met the rest of the Australian boxing team and together they had the opportunity to train at the England team’s facilities – where world champion fighters like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury also prepare.

“To train at their gym was fantastic,” Coumi said.

“Just being surrounded by high-level athletes who have a similar goal, it makes you push harder.”

While Coumi will be Australia’s only chance at a heavyweight medal in August, he isn’t feeling the pressure.

In fact, he’s using it to his advantage.

Coumi celebrates after winning through to the Commonwealth Games over his NSW opponent. Picture: Edgardo Coumi

“It keeps me on my toes,” Coumi said.

“I’m preparing as hard as I can and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

“You’ve got to stay focused and driven or you won’t achieve.”

Coumi and his team will prepare in Brisbane throughout the next month, before heading to Ireland a week before the games.