Tokyo 2020: Former netballer, dancer Kaye Scott’s boxing bid
She’s the big-hitting former netballer and dancer chasing a spot in the ring at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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Boxing was a world away from Kaye Scott’s childhood playing netball, dancing and getting her hair and makeup done for eisteddfods.
But as an adult it is her life.
The 35-year-old is on a mission to make the Australian team heading to Tokyo for the Olympic Games which kick off late July.
“I just started it for fitness. I tried a few classes and the coach said, ‘you punch well’,’’ said Scott, a personal trainer at Waitara.
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“I finally gave in and went with a friend who walked out and said. ‘I’m never doing that again’.
“But I loved it. It was so challenging tactically and mentally.
“I’ve been doing it for 10 or so years now and I can still learn so much.’’
Prior to 2009 there was a controversial ban on women boxing in NSW, eventually lifted following the Combat Sports Act 2008.
After being legalised, Scott and Romona Stephenson fought in an exhibition bout in October 2009.
“I was doing state and national level within a year,’’ said the Australian champion in the 69 kilo welterweight division who grew up at Berowra and now lives at Wahroonga.
“My biggest success in 2016 was a silver at the world championships in Kazakhstan. I was the first male or female to do that.’’
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Scott, who also competed at the Commonwealth Games, is currently overseas working to qualify for the Olympics with a strong performance at the Asia/Oceania Olympic Boxing qualifiers.
This event was originally to be held in Wuhan, China, in February, prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shelley Watts was the only boxer to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016 but was eliminated in her first fight after a split decision loss to an Italian.
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