BOXING: While some athletes pick up golf clubs and hockey sticks before the age of five, Rio Team member, Jason Whateley didn’t even discover his Olympic sport of boxing until 17-years-old.
For the boy from Gippsland, the journey into the ring was built off the back of a budding Aussie Rules career.
“I got into a bit of trouble on the field every now and then, fighting with opposition players and so on,” said 25-year-old Whateley.
“The local boxing club ran a tournament which included a 'Footy Grudge Match.'
“Two players would train up and have a legitimate bout against each other.”
After only six weeks training, the 196cm giant knocked his opponent out and found a love for the sport.
Little did he know that his new found passion would eventuate into an Olympic dream with the Victorian being selected on the Rio 2016 Team in April.
“Words actually cannot describe it.
“It's been a dream of mine for a very long time and when I realised I'd reached such a huge goal it was overwhelming.”
The possibility of going to the Olympic Games first came when he won his first state title after only seven fights.
“My trainer at the time had a lot of belief in me and he had said early in my career that it was a possibility for me.”
Since that moment Whateley has had a whirlwind twelve months which included his first Australian title in 2015 after four years of being the bridesmaid.
Whateley, who owns his own gym ‘Pure Boxing’, superseded his own career best when he secured Rio qualification at the Asian/Oceania qualification tournament and earnt himself selection on the Australian Olympic Team alongside teammates Daniel Lewis and Shelley Watts.
“It was great to be selected alongside both Daniel and Shelley,” said Whateley who now considers both to be close friends.
“I have become very good mates with Daniel, not just in the boxing scene but outside it too. I was actually rooming with him at the qualifying event in China.
“I'm thrilled to be sharing this experience with him.”
Whateley’s schedule has not changed since his selection, with a balance between work and training still crucial for his Rio preparation.
“Not much has really changed apart from the amount of support I've been getting, which has been incredible.
“I've been blessed with having so many great people around me.
“However, apart from that I have just been back working while I can before I go away and also training,”
Whateley will not fight again between now and his opening bout at Rio.
“I will do 3 weeks training in Canberra at the AIS, 11 days in Queensland, before heading to America for three weeks of training. From the US we will fly into Rio.
With his Olympic debut looming, Whateley says he doesn’t have any expectations heading into the first South American Games.
“I will just take it as it comes as I always do.
“As for the competition, I know it will be tough but I will be more than ready for it and I'll be very well prepared.”
Expectation aside, Whateley has already figured out what he would like to achieve in his first Olympic appearance.
“My goals in Rio are simple, win gold.”
The Australian women will have their final chance to qualify for Rio next weekend.
Ashleigh Knight
olympics.com.au
