Commonwealth Games: Tina Rahimi goes from makeup to boxing ring, Australian team

She’s a former makeup artist out to create a new image for young women - and Australian boxing at the Commonwealth Games.

She’s the Sydney boxer from Bankstown out to show the changing face of boxing in Australia - and at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year.

A makeup artist who has put aside her brushes to create a new career in the ring and on Instagram for her 12,000 plus followers.

Now Tina Rahimi, who grew up in Rydalmere and Bass Hill, has a world stage to impress on after being named on the Australian team to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham from July 28.

NSW BOXER PUNCHING WITH PRIDE

Tina Rahimi only started boxing four years ago.

Rahimi, who started boxing for fitness and to lose weight, will be the first Muslim female boxer to compete for Australia and takes her position as a role model seriously.

She also believes a gold medal is within her reach in Birmingham.

“From the moment I started I have not stopped. I just loved it,’’ said Rahimi, whose father Michael was a champion wrestler and who uses her social media account Boxing with Tina to spread the word about the sport and its fitness and social benefits.

Taha Ahmad, Tina Rahimi and Alex Winwood are all from NSW.

“I was quite good at it and went to a fight night and just really it really motivated me.

“I felt like I could do it well and started training and had my first fight in 2018.

“I’ve always embraced the physicality. I was never scared to get hit. I even sparred with the boys and I’d get hit by a punch and still come forward.’’

Boasting a 15-2 win/loss record, Rahimi originally planned to turn professional but Covid intervened and the Commonwealth Games loomed faster than expected.

Now she believes winning gold in Birmingham will draw positive attention to the sport and her goal of enticing more women generally - and those of her faith - to it for fun or as a vocation.

The many faces of Birmingham-bound boxer Tina Rahimi

“It would make me really happy to win,’’ she said.

“It would be a big deal coming from a Muslim background.

“I think I will get a lot of attention. Not many Muslim women have accomplished something like that.

“It’s a big community. I have to wear the hijab to cover my hair and have my arms and legs covered as well. So I do stand out.

“I feel like it would show anything is possible if you put your mind to it. That you can do anything. That just because you dress, or look a different way, come from a different religion, that doesn’t mean it should stop you achieving your dream.’’

Australian Olympic boxer Kaye Scott in Hornsby PCYC before the Tokyo Olympics.

While Rahimi is a first timer, Sydney’s Kaye Scott is back for her third Games – the only athlete to make three Commonwealth Games teams in boxing along with Tony Madigan.

The 37-year-old is well known trailblazer in the sport after fighting in the first legal bout for women in NSW back in 2009.

The Australian team for Birmingham comprises four female boxers and seven males.

Another NSW athlete to make the team is Taha Ahmad, a former kick boxer and just 21.

The youngest member of the team is just 19 with Callum Peters hailing from South Australia.

Australian Boxing Team: Kristy Harris, Caitlin Parker, Tina Rahimi, Kaye Scott, Taha Ahmad, Edgard Coumi, Billy McAllister, Callum Peters, Billy Polkinghorn, Charlie Senior, Alex Winwood.