Waikai’s silver lining
“HEARTBROKEN” by narrowly missing a Youth Commonwealth Games gold medal, Shylah Waikai is eyeing her next chance to set the record straight.
Waikai, who represents New Zealand, recently returned to the Gold Coast from the prestigious competition held in The Bahamas with a wave of fresh knowledge and motivation to guide her forward.
The 16-year-old headed to the island nation confident of success in the under-51kg class but had to settle for silver after the gold medal bout was awarded on decision to Chloe Watson of England.
“When I first got it (the silver medal), I was a bit heartbroken because of course the vision is the gold,” she said.
“But I was grateful for my supporters and my family because they made me feel like I got the gold.
“It was a close fight. I won first round, she won second round and we just fought it out in the last round and it was anyone’s game.”
Having been granted a short break after the Games, Waikai is getting back into the swing of things training with coach Damien O’Mara at the Nerang PCYC.
Waikai will take a different approach into future big events such as the Women’s Youth World Championships in India this November and the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina.
“In major competitions now I will be preparing six weeks out instead of fighting every week,” she said.
“Now that I am more experienced, I have almost hit 30 fights, so it is sort of going to be (all about) preparing.”
Waikai said New Zealand are yet to confirm if they will send a team to India, leaving her crossing her fingers.
“I’d be so keen to face off with England again,” she said of the prospect of a rematch.
O’Mara said Waikai’s consistency and persistency have been the cornerstone of her fledgling career.
“She is one of those kids you’ll teach something and even if she doesn’t get it that night, she’ll come back the next day and she will be better at it because she is obviously practising it,” he said.
“It means a lot to her and you can tell. The kids that try hard are always the ones that go further in the sport. It doesn’t matter how naturally athletic you are.”