Tiana Echegaray

Sydney bantamweight Tiana Echegaray only started boxing in 2019 for fitness, but the sport soon became a passion because of the positive habits and lifestyle changes it brought.

“Boxing was changing my lifestyle and instilling positive behavioural habits,” Tiana said. “I started competing and it was hard work, but I didn’t stop. Next thing I knew I won the Australian title and I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.”

She claimed her first NSW title within six months of taking up the sport and her first Australian title win came in 2022 – she describes it as the “defining moment” of her career. Then she picked up another one in 2023.

Tiana, 30, punched her card for the Paris Olympics when she secured a quota place with a gold medal at the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in November 2023. She scored a unanimous points decision over Tonga’s Hainite Kayla Tuitupou in the women’s 54kg division.

Tiana will be among a record 12-strong Australian boxing contingent at the Paris Olympics after the nation enjoyed a hugely successful Pacific Games campaign.

A graduate of the Australian Institute of Fitness, Tiana works as a personal trainer and boxing instructor.