Commonwealth Games team preview: Wales
July 18th, 2014 / All
Wales are being tipped as one of the countries that could challenge well in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and with excellent boxers in their current line-up, a record number of two gold medals are expected from their talented team.
The flag-bearer of their squad is Andrew Selby, who has achieved medals in many international competitions over recent years, while London 2012 Olympic Games silver medallist Fred Evans is another gold medal contender in Scotland.
The Tension and the Drama
Two-time European Champion and AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist Andrew Selby is one of the most decorated boxers in the entire competition, and is also one of the best Flyweight class (52 kg) fighters in the world.
Fresh off an undefeated stint representing Italy in World Series of Boxing, Selby is aiming to make 2014 a very successful one for him and his country.
Ones to watch in the Commonwealth Games
Sean McGoldrick is their Bantamweight class (56 kg) boxer, and claimed the gold medal in the last edition of the Commonwealth Games in India at the age of 19.
McGoldrick will be looking to retain his title in Glasgow.
Representing Wales in the Lightweight class (60 kg) is 23-year-old Joseph Cordina who won the Tammer Tournament in Finland, and has defeated Europe’s top athletes in recent years.
Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist Zack Davies received the right to fight at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympics, and following his successful junior and youth career he has joined the elite level.
Wales’ top female hope is 20-year-old Lauren Price, who was a bronze medallist at the 2011 EUBC European Women’s Continental Championships at the age of 17, and competed in the 2012 AIBA Women’s World Championships in Qinhuangdao as a seeded athlete.
Fact of the Commonwealth Games
Ashley Williams, representing at the Light Flyweight class (49 kg) has been involved in their national squad since 2012.
The best Welshmen in the Heavyweight class (91 kg) is Kody Davies who will be looking for success in the Commonwealth Games.
Wales’ history in the event
Wales competed for the first time in the second edition of the Commonwealth Games in London in 1934, where they took home three silvers and one bronze medal.
Their first ever boxing gold was achieved by Dennis Reardon in Sydney in 1938, while their last gold was delivered by Jamie Arthur in Manchester in 2002.
In the last edition of the Commonwealth Games, Wales claimed one gold and two bronze medals.
They have never won two gold medals in a single boxing tournament of a Commonwealth Games, which is their target for Glasgow.
