Nyika hoping for third Commonwealth gold medal

Published date24 June 2022
Publication titleSports Tab
Nyika will look to make history as the first boxer to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals

‘‘It’s a real honour to be selected for another Commonwealth Games,’’ Nyika said.

‘‘The Commonwealth Games are where I first made my mark, fighting as an 18-year-old in Glasgow.

‘‘I always enjoy them. It’s got a really nice feel and there’s always some quality competition as well.

‘‘I’m looking forward to getting back into that New Zealand team environment and I’ll be doing my best to create history over in Birmingham.’’

Nyika’s bronze in Tokyo was New Zealand’s first Olympic boxing medal in 29 years. He will turn 27 during the Games.

Auckland’s Troy Garton is the only other team member with previous Games experience. She won bronze at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

It was a remarkable campaign for the 34-year-old, who fought on a torn ACL.

‘‘I tore it in my last training session before flying out to the Gold Coast,’’ Garton said.

‘‘The medical team looked after me really well and I somehow managed to fight my way to bronze. I then went into surgery two weeks post-Games and have come back better than ever.’’

She is looking forward to being more mobile in her second Commonwealth...

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