Boxer Whitwell has two very different aims for 2024

By Ben Hart, Sportbeat

Shona Whitwell has two aims for the next 12 months: an Olympic medal and a new nickname.

The Cambridge boxer, 25, was nicknamed ‘the ghost’ by her dad on account of her tendency to go unnoticed.

But having cemented her place as an Olympic contender for GB Boxing, the flyweight feels now is her time to step out from the shadows.

“My dad called me the ghost because a lot of the time I don’t get noticed and I haven’t done whilst I’ve been on the programme,” said Whitwell.

“But I feel a lot more confident now that I'm getting picked. It is my time now. Everything has fallen into place, and I want to put my name out there.

“Some girls have been selected and they're happy about it, but I was absolutely buzzing. It’s different for me because I’ve been waiting for my turn – now I need to change my nickname!”

Whitwell is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing her to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – this is vital for her pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

Whitwell was nearly forced to take a different path after she suffered a career-threatening head injury in 2017 which resulted in 18 months on the sidelines.

She finally made her major international tournament debut at the World Championships last year where she was knocked out of the round of 16 stage before another strong run in the European Championships where she lost to eventual champion Kellie Harrington.

“I had three fights and got into the top 16 at the Worlds and that was just a case of gaining more experience because I’ve missed out on so many tournaments. So, it was a big one to overcome the nerves and pressure,” she said.

“I went to the Europeans and went that bit closer to medalling. I really needed that experience.

“I beat the two World bronze medallists convincingly in the Euros and then boxed Kelly Harrington and only lost on a 3-2 split which has given me the confidence I needed.”

With the Paris 2024 Olympics only one year away, the Games are set to inspire people and communities all across the country. Whitwell hopes that by sharing her story it will give others motivation to get involved into sport.

Since the European Championships, Whitwell has topped the rostrum on three separate occasions, fuelling her belief that the stars have aligned ahead of her Paris bid.

“I missed out on Gold Coast with the head injury and others through selection, so I’ve overcome all that and finally I’m not injured, and I’ve earned it,” she added.

“Those setbacks have moulded me into who I am. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.

“I’m just keeping the momentum going. I haven’t had a week off since December, but I just keep going, I don’t care because I’m exactly where I want to be.”

National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk#TNLAthletes #MakeAmazingHappen