Niamh Brookes reveals Olympic dream on return to Army boxing gym after winning Welsh title
Whether it's Sir Henry Cooper, Karriss Artingstall or some of the great names in between, military boxing has a great pedigree of curated Olympic quality – and could Craftsman Niamh Brookes be next in line?
Last month, Cfn Brookes put in a stellar performance at the Welsh Championships to win the under-52kg title after a win over Josie Lewis, from Caerau Dragons Boxing Club in Maesteg, in the final.
It was the moment she'd waited for after losing the final in 2023, and upon return to the Army boxing gym, she was given a hero's welcome by her coaches and teammates.
She said: "It doesn't get much better than that (winning the Welsh championship) and my semi-final bout was probably the hardest bout I've had since I've been boxing.
"I had Helen Jones. She's been on the Wales squad for quite a long time, she's been on the GB set-up, and she did the last Commonwealth Games for Wales.
"That was a big step up and a big test to see where I am, if I can compete with those sort of people and if I'm on the same level."
For Cfn Brookes, there's one clear target for her boxing career: to compete at the Olympic Games.
"That's a long-term goal," said the Welsh fighter. "You want to reach as far as you can. The goal for now is to get on that Wales squad full-time, hopefully get to the Commonwealth Games and progress to the GB squad.
"Who knows? Hopefully, in the Olympics in a few years' time."
Cfn Brookes is one of the leading boxers in the British Army squad, but will we see some of the names of tomorrow at Thursday's Army Boxing final?
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