SKILLED SCOTT SCOOPS SILVER
Australia’s female boxing star Kaye Scott displayed all her champion qualities to win the light middleweight silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Competing at her third straight Games, the 38-year-old Scott belied her age to come within a whisker of capturing gold in what would have been one of the bigger achievements for Australian boxing at Birmingham.
The former Berowra local was obviously disappointed but was certainly not disgraced. Scott was stopped by Rosie Eccles of Wales in the second round of the final, after impressing in her quarter-final and semi-final bouts.
“It didn’t eventuate the way I’d planned in my head,” Scott said after the final. “It was kind of like an outer body experience, I just don’t think I was there in the moment.
“That’s a competitive sport – tonight wasn’t quite my night and Rosie was bang on. I’ve never been stopped before, but I do understand (the referee’s decision).
“But it made it harder to swallow. It’s hard but I was taken aback by the emotions yesterday of realising what I’ve done and being proud of myself.
“So, though this is disappointing, I can see that a silver at the Comm Games is pretty amazing.”
Scott, the oldest in the boxing squad, was unable to stem a flurry of punches by Eccles, who had beaten her in the semifinals at the 2018 Games at the Gold Coast.
“(I am) learning to be proud of my overall effort and preparation to get here, rather than that single last bout. I’ve won in many other ways, and it’s still an upgrade from bronze in 2018.“
Scott thanked the ‘phenomenal’ Australian boxing coaches Kevin Smith, Sam Brizzi and Shara Romer for their patience and support. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said. “Your guidance, patience, effort, and support doesn’t go unnoticed. The whole team is so grateful.”
