By ADEM SARICAOGLU
GUN Hoppers Crossing boxer Lauren Camilleri now has her eyes firmly set on Glasgow and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The 23-year-old recently became the Victorian champion in the 51kg weight division after knocking off the highly-rated Kristy Harris in a tense four-round fight.
After starting her career at 54kg, Camilleri decided to drop back to 51kg in the hope of qualifying for the Glasgow Games.
Having spent some time with Harris at the Australian Institute of Sport, Camilleri knew she had to find a way to beat her in pursuit of her dream to represent Australia.
“I had to spar her at the AIS, which was pretty confronting,” Camilleri explained.
“I felt I did pretty well considering my experience, but still the nerves got the better of me and then from then on I knew that basically Kristy was the girl that was going to be in my weight class.
“I had to work towards beating her because she was the biggest threat, and every step I took this year was to beat her and all my hard work around that eventually paid off.”
Camilleri’s win over Harris was by far her best result to date, but it also marked what has been a considerable rise through the ranks after she only gloved up for her first fight little more than a year ago.
Next on Camilleri’s radar are the 2014 national championships in Perth, which will serve as a Commonwealth Games qualifier.
Having now beaten Harris, who was regarded as the best 51kg fighter in the country, Camilleri admits she is a touch surprised about just how much she’s progressed in the past 12 months.
“It’s always been a dream to represent my country and especially to go to the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, but I didn’t think I’d be this successful so soon,” Camilleri admitted.
“I do believe in myself though and I know I can get there, but after each fight I just surprise myself even more and more.”
