English Boxing Schools and Minors Championship win for Cheltenham College pupil

22 Aug 2016

A Third Former (Year 9) from Cheltenham College, Sophie Morton, won her weight class at the English Boxing Schools and Minors Championship, where over 140 boxers fought for a coveted pair of golden gloves. Sophie fought in five matches this season leading up to the championship and was undefeated going in to the final round.

Sophie said, “This is the highest title I could win at this stage and I am very proud of my golden gloves. My parents bought me a punch bag for my birthday two years ago for fun but they did not anticipate that I would enjoy it so much. I am one of two girls in my club but I like the challenge and breaking the stereotype.”

Sophie trains four times a week from two to three hours each time, doing a range of activities from skipping to sparring. Each session ends with either an abdominal circuit or a fitness circuit. It may be hard work but Sophie has big goals: “As the champion in England, I now have matches coming up against girls in my category from Wales and Scotland. When I win those, I will become part of Team GB and start training with them to go to international contests. My ultimate goal is Tokyo 2020.”