Charlie Flynn (right) celebrates his GB Title win over fellow Scot Martin McCord
ABS Youth Boxer Charlie Flynn has been named Commonwealth Games Scotland “Athlete of the Month” for June. The article below was featured in Wednesday’s Scottish Sun Newspaper.
CHARLIE’S BOXING CLEVER
In the world of amateur boxing one name stands out for Charlie Flynn (18); the legendary Olympic, Commonwealth and European gold medallist Dick McTaggart. He was Scotlands greatest ever amateur boxer 610 wins from 634 fights is just awesome, says Flynn, who is also a lightweight fighter. He was an Olympic champion, and really shows what you can do with determination and hard work.
Charlie certainly isnt adverse to hard work himself, having bounced back from an injury earlier in the year which kept him out of the Scottish nationals to claim gold at the GB Youth Amateur Championships at Ravenscraig in June. The Newarthill boxer faced fellow Scot Martin McCord in the final of the 60kg weight category, where he landed the majority of the telling punches in a 14-7 win. Charlie says: I had an injury which was playing on my mind a bit before then, but Ive stepped things up a level this year and its all worked out for the best.
This fantastic performance has seen him named as the Commonwealth Games Scotland Athlete of the Month for June, jointly with gymnast Shannon Archer. He will receive £250 from Commonwealth Games Scotland towards training and competition costs.
Congratulating the June winners, Commonweath Games Scotland Chairman Michael Cavanagh said: The Commonwealth Youth Games provide an invaluable development opportunity for our younger athletes, exposing them to a multi-sport environment and giving them their first experience of Team Scotland and its ethos. We have seen some fantastic performances since the selection period opened, and I would like to congratulate Shannon and Charlie for their achievements in June. Id like to wish them the best of luck for the rest of the year and I hope to see them competing for Youth Team Scotland in the Isle of Man come September.
Charlie is hoping his excellent performances will put him in contention for a place in the Scotland team for the Isle of Man Commonwealth Youth Games in September. Flynn has already tasted success on the island this year, having helped the Scottish youth/schoolboy team to victory in the Celtic Tri-Nations Challenge in May. It was great to go down to the Isle of Man and compete, he says. The venue was really good and it will be valuable to have that familiarity at the Games. Id love to be selected and I really think I can get amongst the medals.
Scotlands Commonwealth boxers came home with three medals from the 2010 Games in Delhi (1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze) and Charlie has his heart set on taking the top prize in Glasgow come 2014: Id love to fight in Glasgow in 2014. I just need to keep my focus and keep winning these internationals. A gold in Glasgow would also put him on a par with his hero McTaggart, who took home the prize from the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff.
Charlie thanked Amateur Boxing Scotland, and his employer the Royal Mail for their continued support: “I’m proud to work for a traditional British company like the Royal Mail they are sponsoring me and support my efforts. They always give me the time off when I have a training camp or have to box in international tournaments. “After winning the British title I feel ready to step up to the next level and I would like to thank Amateur Boxing Scotland for providing me with the training, facilities and opportunities to achieve my goals in boxing, especially the chance to box at the Commonwealth Youth Games in September.
The selection period for the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games is currently open, with Youth Team Scotland athletes set to be announced on 9 August.
