Welsh boxer is knockout with lucky winners
Olympic boxing hopeful Sean McGoldrick has faced his toughest opponent yet – a 10-year-old schoolgirl.
Pocket rocket Lydia Saunders, from Griffithstown, won a unique training opportunity to step into the ring with McGoldrick at his local club – St Joseph’s in Newport.
Lydia already packs a punch, training regularly with Torfaen Warriors Amateur Boxing Club, and she enjoyed a 60 minute workout with Sean and his coach, Tony Borg. Sean shared his tips for boxing and general fitness, and presented her with a prize of signed boxing gloves.
Sean took time out of training to meet two lucky National Lottery competition winners, Lydia and 19 year old builder Josh Prosser of Crumlin.
Sean McGoldrick said:
“It’s been great to meet Lydia and Josh, and to pass on some of my skills. I hope I have inspired them to follow their sporting dreams.
“It’s great that Lydia is training regularly at the age of ten, and I wish her every success – I may have met a future Olympian!
“National Lottery funding has made a huge difference to my training. It would be hard to do what I do without it, and I am grateful to everyone who plays the Lottery for their support.”
Lydia’s proud mum, Joanne Morton, said:
“Lydia was thrilled to win this competition. She absolutely loves boxing, and meeting a local hero like Sean is a dream come true.”
Joanne explains how her daughter started boxing:
“Lydia’s friend had started boxing, so she tried it and picked it up immediately. It’s so good for her fitness and confidence – I’ve already noticed a big difference in her.
“Her club is so friendly, with all ages there, and they look after her. I’d recommend it.”
Lydia trains at Torfaen Warriors Boxing Club, which has received four National Lottery grants totalling £4,565 through Sport Wales towards coaching and safety equipment.
Newport-born Sean now has his sights set firmly on the Rio 2016 Olympics, and receives National Lottery funding to help him get there. As well as providing a personal allowance to allow him to train full-time with GB Boxing in Sheffield, The National Lottery helps fund coaches, physiotherapists, technical support, facilities and equipment.
Last month 24-year-old Sean added another gold medal to his collection at the annual Tammer Tournament in Finland, where he comprehensively defeated his opponent in the 56kg contest.
Sean shot to prominence as an 18 year old pupil at Duffryn Comprehensive School when he won the Bantamweight Gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He was BBC Wales Junior Sportsman of the Year that year.
Sean is one of 1,300 athletes who receive National Lottery funding through UK Sport to help them compete at world level.
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