Wandsworth boxer Joe Joyce was a spectator for the London 2012 Olympic Games, now he is taking centre stage.
The 30-year-old will compete in the super heavyweight category at the Rio Olympics next month as part of Team GB’s largest boxing Olympic squad for 32 years.
Joyce was crowned Commonwealth Games champion in 2014 and European Games champion in 2015.
“I watched the last Olympics as a spectator and saw how brilliantly Team GB performed so now to be part of it is an amazing feeling,” said Joyce, who used to train at Earlsfield ABC.
“It is great that we have such a strong team of boxers going to the Games and we aim to build on the success that Great Britain achieved last time round.”
Team GB sit third on the overall boxing medal table having won 53 medals at the Olympic Games – 17 gold, 12 silver and 24 bronze.
Rob McCracken, the boxing team leader and GB Boxing’s performance director, said: “It was a very gruelling qualification campaign.
"To get to the end of it with 12 boxers going to the Olympics is a great reward for the hard work and efforts of the coaches, support staff and everyone connected with the GB Boxing, who have all played a part in helping the boxers to deliver this historic achievement.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here