Boxing

I need to prove myself: Army boxer Niamh Brookes chasing Commonwealth Games glory

23rd July 2026 at 9:25am

The Welsh fighter is aiming for a Commonwealth Games medal in Glasgow

She's one of the British Forces' best chances of a medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but for Lance Corporal Niamh Brookes, it's a dream come true that could lead to bigger things.

LCpl Brookes starting boxing at the age of 16 and her rise through British Army boxing has been rapid.

But could this summer's events in Glasgow be her highest point yet?

"I'd love to come back home with a medal, especially a gold," she told BFBS Forces News.

"As long as I know that I've put in all the hard work I can, I've put on a good performance and I've left everything in that ring, then I'll be happy."

LCpl Brookes was born in Northern Ireland, but moved around as a child to Wales and Bristol due to her father's involvement with the British Army.

She said: "My dad did his full service and then he got out. A year later, I joined up. It wasn't something that I grew up thinking, 'oh I'm going to go into the Army, I'm going to be a soldier, I'm going to do this.'

"I was leaving school. I didn't really know what to do and the Army came about. He was all for it, he was supportive and I think he thinks I made the right decision."

Since then, LCpl Brookes picked up the gloves and has won many major fight nights, including a Welsh and British championships. She described herself as a bit of an overthinker, but when the bell goes and the fight begins, it's a different story.

"As soon as I step in that ring, as soon as that bell goes, you know, your mind just clears," she explained. "You just focus on what needs to be done and, like, right, game on. Like, background noise just disappears and you're sort of in the zone."

Like many athletes at this year's Games, the end goal is Los Angeles for the Olympic Games in 2028 and LCpl Brookes is hopeful that she can catch the eye.

She said: "You know, putting on a good performance, coming home with a medal – GB are going to see that and look into that and see what I can do. And hopefully someone will see me that needs to see me and it'll just progress from there."