Crafting the best fighters: Great Britain boxing boosted by Army coaching talent
Two of the best British Army boxing coaches have been appointed into roles within the Great Britain boxing team.
Corporal Alanna Nihell and Sergeant James Allen have had a major part to play in the rise of Army boxers such as Natty Ngwenya, who made a winning start to his professional career, and Olympic bronze medallist Karriss Artingstall, who is also making a big impact as a professional boxer.
The success of military boxing has caught the eye of the Great Britain team who will now be learning from two of the best military coaches.
Cpl Nihell is a former Commonwealth Games participant and won a bronze medal for Northern Ireland at the 2014 Games in Scotland.
While she didn't make it to an Olympic Games as a boxer, her chances of participating as a coach have drastically increased.
"To get your boxer to qualify for the Olympics is a massive achievement," said the Royal Logistic Corps soldier.
"I'm learning from the best so one day, that would be the goal. To go to the Olympics. To get that boxer there and to qualify.
"Qualifying is the hardest part so that's what I aspire to be."
With Royal Marine George Crotty and Army soldier Terri Stuart involved at GB level and the professional success of Artingstall, Ngwenya and others, military boxers are starting to show their talent on a bigger stage.
Cpl Nihell hopes the inclusion of military coaches will see more Armed Forces boxers involved at the highest stage.
She said: "If I can be that little piece of the puzzle to help that boxer get to that next step, it gives me goosebumps.
"If we can get any more boxers to go up there and medal for their countries, it's a massive thing for us."
If you want to see some of the best current military boxers in action, watch our live coverage of the Royal Navy v Western Counties on Tuesday 30th January from 7:45pm on the Forces News YouTube channel.
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