Heavyweight boxer Mateusz Bereznicki has had a extra uncommon path to the Paris Olympics than most – having solely taken up the game to keep away from dance lessons.
The 23-year-old moved from Poland to Gosport, in Hampshire, when he was aged simply 5 and that was the place he realized to field – through a barely circuitous path.
“All I did once I was youthful was play laptop video games,” he advised BBC Sport.
“My mom hated it so she signed me as much as hip-hop lessons in Gosport.
“A person who was there to gather his daughter requested me if I’d fairly field and I mentioned sure. That is the way it began – I simply wanted something to not must do hip-hop.”
Now, after successful 4 fights in Thailand and qualifying for this summer time’s Video games, he’ll symbolize Poland on the pinnacle of newbie boxing.
The Olympic preliminary rounds get underneath manner on 28 July on the North Paris Enviornment, with the finals at Roland Garros on 9 August.
“It is a dream come true – I am nonetheless speechless,” he added.
“There isn’t any-one higher on the earth than these 16 individuals at this degree and I am wanting ahead to it. I like competing towards the perfect.”
One of many challenges that comes with newbie boxing in contrast with the skilled scene is the restricted period of time per bout.
Fights encompass simply three rounds in contrast with as much as 12 within the skilled sport, that means much less time for a boxer to power a stoppage or persuade the judges they’re the worthy winner.
“There’s a actually huge strain however I take pleasure in working underneath strain,” Bereznicki mentioned.
“The important thing factor for me is to win the primary two rounds and run round a bit for the third – that’s the good combat for me.”
