Potential women Olympians train in North Van
National team prepares for qualifier in China
Clients at Griffins Boxing and Fitness in North Vancouver are getting to rub shoulders with potential Olympians this week.
The Canadian national women’s boxing team is training there through Sunday in preparation for their London 2012 qualifying tournament in Qinhuangdao, China on May 9-20.
Kevin Howard, one of the coaches at Griffins, is also coach of the national women’s squad.
“It will be a statement and a proof of dedication, training and discipline,” said Griffins owner and head coach Dave Brett, who has even come up with special T-shirts for the event.
It is a unique opportunity for Griffins members. Women’s boxing seems to be taking off, even if there will only by three weight divisions in London: 51 kilograms, 60 kilograms and 75 kilograms.
Canada’s representative at 75 kilograms, Windsor’s Mary Spencer, recently signed a sponsorship deal with Covergirl. Canada’s two other fighters, Kitchener’s Mandy Bujold (51kg) and Quebec City’s Sandra Bizier (60kg) have a chance to be media darlings with success in the ring.
Bujold admits that she “never, ever imagined myself an athlete…in high school I didn’t even want to take gym class.”
“I guess I just found the right sport,” said Bujold, 24. “The way it works out is funny. It’s nothing I’ve ever planned.”
Bizier, 32, is a police officer in Quebec City and also is the mother a two-year-old son, who was born not long after the International Olympic Committee approved women’s boxing for London 2012 in August, 2009.
“I was like, ‘Oh my . . . I have to come back for that,’” she said. “I came back on the team in 2010, seven months after I had my baby. It was crazy. I had 60 pounds to lose. It was a tough summer.”
Bujold said that women boxers are getting accustomed to the sudden increase in interest. There’s been a definite spike in media requests.
“Everyone wants to know what’s going on and that’s part of what comes with it,” said Bujold, who says she started boxing eight years ago mainly for fitness. “At first, it was different, but now I’m used to it. I don’t mind it.
“It would be an awesome experience to be one of the first women [fighters] to go to the Olympics. I think everyone is excited to see women’s boxing at the Olympics.”
As for the Covergirl deal for the 27-year-old Spencer, Bujold said, “It was pretty cool.”
“I remember she told me about it and wasn’t 100 per cent sure what it was all about or whether it was legit, but she got some people to look at it for her and it all worked out for the best,” said Bujold. “It’s an awesome opportunity. I think it’s great to put women’s boxing on the forefront.”
Bujold said to qualify in China Canadian fighters need to place in the top eight in their respective weight classes among competitors from the Americas.