Adrian is a national level boxer and Osteopath currently training to attend the 2024 Paris Olympics.
We interviewed Adrian about his experiences as a boxer, how he balances his training and professional career along with some advice for junior boxing athletes.
Hey Adrian! Introduce yourself.
Hi, I’m Adrian. I am an amateur boxer in the 86 – 92kg division, I am a member of the national team and I am attempting Olympic qualification in early December. Outside of boxing I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend Georgia and our border collie Zeppa.
What lead you towards boxing as an athletic career? What has that process looked like for you?
I first developed an interest in boxing at around 12 years old. The process was organic, I didn’t know anyone involved in the sport and wasn’t pushed towards it by anyone. I found a local gym and began my boxing journey. I had my first fight shortly after my 16th birthday; initially my goal was to win a state title, then national and now qualify for the Olympics. I have failed to qualify for Rio and Tokyo in the past, but am optimistic about Paris 2024 as I am now able to commit a lot more time to training due to support from my amazing sponsors.
What accomplishments are you proud of over the last 12 months?
Returning to the sport after 3.5 years out of the ring, and successfully winning a national title and in turn qualifying for the Australian team.
How was your experience competing internationally?
I’ve had around 10 international fights out of 70 total fights. The level of competition internationally is obviously a bit better than domestically, which is great motivation to train hard and keep improving!
How do you manage the pressures of Work, Elite Level Sport and everyday life?
I have recently been fortunate enough to step away from my professional life to solely focus on boxing. Prior to nationals however, I was working 4-5 hours per day and training twice a day. The main challenge for me was around juggling household commitments, time management and energy/ enthusiasm. Properly fuelling my body, resting adequately and a very supportive partner all played a big role in managing the pressure involved with being a high performance athlete.
How has SRA helped you along your journey?
Training at SRA has helped me move better, get stronger, develop movement patterns related to my sport and overall become more athletic. There is a variety of resources available to me at SRA including recovery tools, education and rehab options. I have no doubt my recent performances can be credited in part to my training at SRA.
What’s next for you? What goal/s do you have (boxing, gym, study, career etc.)?
Going forward, my main focus is winning gold at the Pacific Games and qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Does your career as an osteopath influence your decisions as an athlete or vice versa?
Having a background as a healthcare professional definitely helps me with awareness around my body, injury management and recovery optimisation.
Do you have any advice for boxing athletes or those looking to get involved?
If you’re considering strength and conditioning for boxing at SRA, I would highly recommend investing in a 8-12 week block prior to competition and comparing the difference in your strength and performance. Strength training is also a great tool for injury prevention/ risk minimisation; a strong body is a resilient body.