Gold looms for trio as Gold Coast fighter Skye Nicolson makes 57kg final

SKYE Nicolson is poised for one of Australian sport’s great fairytale moments after punching her way into the 57kg final in memory of the two brothers she never met.

THE Gold Coast’s golden girl Skye Nicolson is poised for one of Australian sport’s great fairytale moments after punching her way into the 57kg final in memory of the two brothers she never met.

Nicolson, 22, the fast moving southpaw with the catwalk model looks, won a 4-1 decision over Canada’s Sabrina Aubin-Boucher last night and will face Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in the final.

Nicolson and Walsh sparred together at a recent training camp at the AIS in Canberra and Nicolson is confident she can take gold in what will be one of the real emotional moments of the competition.

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Skye Nicolson will fight for the gold medal in the 57kg final. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

In 1994 Jamie Nicolson, a Barcelona Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, and his 10-year-old brother Gavin, were killed in a car accident on the Pacific Highway at Helensvale while on their way to boxing training at Nerang.

Skye was born the next year to help mend the broken hearts of her parents Allan, who was 45 and Pat, who was 42. The Nicolsons formed their own boxing club and built a gym in their Yatala backyard where Skye started training 10 years ago.

Skye matched Jamie in 2016 with a world championship bronze medal and has now gone better than his 1990 Commonwealth Games bronze. She is trained by Gold Coast barrister Wayne Tolton and yesterday impressed the judges with her speed and brilliant evasive skills.

“This moment was for both of us,” Skye said of her brother.

“I’m so happy and proud that I’m doing this for him too.

Nicolson beat Sabrina Aubin-Boucher 4-1 in the semi-final. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“Definitely it’s been more pressure. I’ve been extremely nervous for this tournament, a lot more nervous than usual.

“Having my whole family and friends here to support me, it’s definitely had that added pressure. I’m just so glad I’m getting through and putting on a good showcase.”

Three members of the Australian women’s team will fight for gold today after Perth’s Caitlin Parker last night took a 5-0 decision over Nigeria’s Millicent Agboegbulem in the 75kg division. Parker will now face Lauren Price of Wales in the final.

Anja Stridsman is into the 60kg final after a 5-0 win. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Earlier Anja Stridsman, from the NSW Central Coast, yesterday marched into the gold medal round.

The 31-year-old Swedish-born blonde bomber tore into Kiwi Troy Garton in the opening round of their 60kg semi-final yesterday and never took her foot off the accelerator, winning a one-sided decision 5-0.

She will now face England’s 23-year-old Paige Murney from Leicester for gold today. Murney was a bronze medallist at last year’s European titles.

Originally published as Gold looms for trio as Gold Coast fighter Skye Nicolson makes 57kg final