The New Zealand Olympic Committee has confirmed today that Youth Olympic boxer Joseph Parker has been named to the New Zealand 2010 Commonwealth Games team.
Parker, at just 18 years of age, won silver in the Commonwealth Championships in Delhi earlier this year and bronze at the Youth World Championships in Baku (Azerbaijan). He also was selected to represent New Zealand at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games which kick off this week in Singapore.
At Delhi hell contest the super-heavy weight class and is looking forward to the challenge. Now its my chance to show New Zealand what Ive got, said the Papatoetoe apprentice builder.
Chairman of the Boxing New Zealand and former national boxing coach Dr John McKay says Parker is a strong candidate for a good result in Delhi. He has very fast hands and is very mobile for a super-heavyweight. Hes comparatively inexperienced but with only 30 competition bouts under his belt he is achieving very well.
Parker will be joined in the New Zealand boxing team by Nathan McEwen (75kg), Commonwealth Championship bronze medallist and currently ranked world number 21; and Angus Donaldson (60kg) who won silver at the Oceania Championships in Canberra recently.
McKay says the team contains two very experienced boxers in Nathan McEwen (75kg, Commonwealth Championships bronze 2010) and Angus Donaldson (60kg, silver medal at Oceania Championships 2010) who also join Parker in the team. McKay adds that they will need to work hard in Delhi.
These boys have very good idea what is required of them in Delhi which is to be very fit and technically well equipped. Today boxing is very technical and the new format 3 x 3 minute rounds demands an even higher level of fitness than ever. The team also includes Reece Papuni (81kg) from Christchurch who won bronze at the Presidents Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan this year and Commonwealth Championships bronze medal winning David Aloua (91kg).
Competition in India will be tough with the home country performing well both in international competitions. The English team will also challenge the Kiwis.
Parker was one of ten athletes awarded a Cadbury Chocolate Grant of $20,000 earlier this year. Parker will be joined in Delhi by fellow grant recipient, weightlifter Stanislav (Stas) Chalaev who was also named to the team today.
The boxing team to Delhi is:
Joseph Parker (91kg+), Papatoetoe
Nathan McEwen (75kg), Westport
Reece Papuni (81kg), Christchurch
David Aloua (91kg) Hamilton
Angus Donaldson (60kg), Palmerston North
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