The Chronicle

Adam aims to bring gold medal home from Paris

BOXER IN TRAINING FOR OLYMPICS ‘FEELS LOVE’ OF REGION

- By OWEN YOUNGER Reporter owen.younger@reachplc.com

A BOXER from Wallsend is aiming to become a gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics at just 22 years old.

Adam Olaore qualified in February, and he has set his sights on success in France. Moving to the UK from Nigeria aged 11, Adam settled in the North East and has been boxing competitiv­ely for the past seven years.

He fights at light heavyweigh­t, and his sport has been predominan­tly selffunded, as he now looks to train and fight in key competitio­ns ahead of the marquee event in July.

He has quickly racked up the accomplish­ments, winning the senior English National Amateur Championsh­ips in 2023, and winning at the GB Three Nations Championsh­ips a month later.

However, it was his gold-winning performanc­e at the All-Africa Heavyweigh­t Boxing Championsh­ips that means he will automatica­lly qualify for the final 16 in Paris, where he will represent Nigeria.

“I originally went to a boxing gym with my friend to give it a go, and I really enjoyed myself, so I kept going back,” said Adam. “Soon I had my first fight and after that I felt like the relationsh­ip between how much I was enjoying boxing and the improvemen­t I was making was symbiotic.

“Over the last eight years of boxing I have looked to learn everything I can about the sport, and it was the 2020 Youth National Championsh­ips win that I think propelled me forward.

“I always say ‘we won’ as it takes a community to create a champion, and the team behind me, including my coach Richie and so many more, are just as important.

“Training is going very well and I am aiming for gold at the Olympics, and we are preparing methodical­ly and making sure that we hit every mark.

“I really feel the love from the North East specifical­ly as my family, friends and team are all here, and I am very grateful for the home that I have found here in the region.”

 ?? ?? Adam Olaore, from Wallsend, will be heading to Paris to box for Nigeria
Adam Olaore, from Wallsend, will be heading to Paris to box for Nigeria

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