What an extraordinary tale it would be, because the journey for Tina has been anything but textbook.

Olympians often recall a golden moment from their childhood, turning to mum or dad as the anthem plays, declaring “I’m going to the Olympics one day.”

It’s a path that thousands begin and so few complete. But it’s not Tina's story.

Tina, now 26 and competing for Paris 2024 Olympic qualification at the Pacific Games this week, was already an adult when she first walked into the brotherhood gym in Sydney’s west to do an all-female box fit class.

Despite growing up in Sydney, Tina had never seen the Olympics, hadn’t even heard of the Commonwealth Games.

“I didn’t even know what the Commonwealth Games were. I didn’t even know we had them in 2018, was I living under a rock?” Tina said.

The make-up artist turned pugilist got a fast education.

“I loved box fit so joined the fighter’s class. I sparred another beginner and just kept going forward I remember thinking I’m strong, I didn’t have any fear.”

Four short years later Tina discovered the Commonwealth Games, from the inside.

“Marching in the Opening Ceremony, that moment, oh my god, the most amazing experience ever. I was in absolute shock.”

A Birmingham bronze crystalised her desire and changed much more.

To label Tina an accidental athlete would be an insult to her toughness, work ethic and fierce resilience. However, she is certainly an accidental role model.

“I do feel a lot of pressure, I am representing my religion. People seeing if I’m doing something that might go against my religion. I actually get little anxiety attacks, but I try to be the best Muslim that I can be.”

Religion is a subject most athletes can choose to avoid. Not so Tina, who steps into the ring in a hijab, aware that other young Muslim women are watching.

“It just shows it doesn’t matter what you look like or what religion you follow, as long you’re dedicated and do whatever it takes to achieve, anyone can do anything.”

The dedication her faith requires has made the journey just that little bit harder. Like preparing for the World Championships during Ramadan.

“That was my first international fight. We were fasting it was literally Ramadan, then fly out. There are lots of family gatherings lots of food that I had to avoid. I had to make weight and be fit enough to perform.”

“I was up at 3am going to the park, running in the dark, it was a bit scary.”

Those World Championships resulted in a narrow-split decision loss, but Tina’s rate of improvement since, has been exceptional.

“The thing is, I’m really strong. I just thought I should always come forward, hurt them with my power to get their respect. Doing work with people like Billy Dib (former world champion) he tells me not to be so erratic. To move more feint, have better head movement, pick my shots. I’m more clam, smarter. Now I can counter off the back foot as well as come forward."

A lioness with a steely stare in the ring, Tina’s attitude to her opponents has also changed over time.

“I used to think they were the enemy. You can’t be friends. I remember getting beat by this girl and I literally hated her, I wanted a rematch. I finally got the rematch and beat her. But then we started talking. Now we’re friends I’ve even done her make-up a few times.”

But some things never change.

“I still look them straight in the eye, I have to see their tension. See how they’re feeling and what vibes they give me. After the fight, all respect.”

Today Tina is just one step from Paris. When asked how it would feel to be an Olympian the desire was palpable.

“You even mentioning that just gave me goosebumps. Making the Team would be massive, I know it will be emotional. It won’t be easy to win but it’s not just making the Team. My sights are set on gold. 100% that’s the goal.”

Olympic gold medallist. What an achievement it would be. If resilience counts as we know it does, Tina Rahimi has it in bucket loads. The past year has included personal struggles which would have stopped those with less resilience.

“I did go through a divorce and a lot of things that maybe, I don’t know, interrupted my training, my life and the gym. I went through an eating disorder.

“It’s the hardest thing ever, the biggest challenge for me. Because I had no self-control with food and it’s not like anything to do with discipline, it’s just a coping mechanism.

“When you have body dysmorphia and you see yourself in the mirror and you’re not happy with the way you look. You don’t want to go out, you lean into food. It’s an addiction and a lot of people don’t understand."

Tina has since sought help and is now doing much better. Her courage in speaking out also shows how she is beginning to embrace being a role model.

“A lot of people don’t really talk about it but when you’re restricting yourself and always trying to make weight (57 kilos) and it does become really tough and then something goes wrong in your life. A lot of people turn to drugs or drinking or when people have eating disorders, they turn to food.”

It hit hardest at this year’s World Championships.

“I was literally two kilos over. I had to put my sweat suit on, went to the gym for two hours trying to make the weight. I remember coming back to my room and just bawling my eyes out to Kaye (Scott). Thinking, how do I put myself in these situations.”

If Tina achieves Paris 2024 selection she will find it a little tougher in Paris, without her long-time roommate.

Kaye Scott was a trailblazer for women’s boxing, who missed the team despite being the current world championship silver medallist.

Kaye returned from the world championships and dropped a weight class for her Olympic campaign. The weight cut was rough, while she made the final at the trials, she started slowly and lost a close points decision.

“We are all upset, not just me, it’s hard to believe everyone was in shock. You always have that one person that you click with. She was that person. Even though I’m friends with everyone in the team I was really sad.”

Many thought Kaye may be that athlete who would be the first Australian boxing gold medallist. As for it being a woman, for more than 100 years it was impossible and until recently many stuck in the past, found it unthinkable.

Tina and her teammates including Caitlin Parker have a genuine chance at history by becoming the first Australian gold medallist in Boxing. Legendary Australian fighters have tried and failed, only one, Grahame ‘Spike’ Cheney in 1988 has fought for gold.

But consider for a moment how many times Australian woman have led the way at the Games.

In 1912, Fanny Durack and Mina Whylie won gold and silver in the first woman’s event at the Olympics. The first person to win the same event at three successive games was Dawn Fraser. Shane Gould was the first person to win five individual medals at the same Olympics.

Australia won the first Olympic gold medals in women’s water polo and rugby 7s. Plus Emma McKeown is Australia’s most successful Olympian ever with 11 medals - five gold, two silver and four bronze.

Let’s hope Boxing is next.

Jon Harker