Page 20 - WishStream Year of 2023

For the first 4 weeks of training, I would highly rec- ommend that anyone, even if they have no interest in boxing, attend the weekly morning training ses- sions, as it is an excellent opportunity to consist- ently build up their physical ability. The main focus for these sessions was fitness, simple movements and techniques - not incorporating any sparring or pad work at this time.
Roughly 80 OCdts attended the first session but after a week or so the numbers gradually reduced. This might have been the wise choice of getting some much-needed rest rather than waking up at 0500hrs. After the first 4 weeks, the medicals reduced the extensive number of OCdts down to a handful of 20 juniors, which became the box- ing team. From then on, the skills and intensity increased on a weekly basis, with a strong focus on partner and pad work. This looked at movement, techniques and style. A selection of
Fight Night
For the team, the day was dedicated to prepara- tion for the night, starting with weigh ins and medicals to confirm everyone was still fit to fight. Two of the male pairs had to be swapped round due to them slipping from the weight categories. Unfortunately, for my fellow platoon member, no one was removed from the day so he was unable to progress from first reserve, leaving only 2 Bor- neo Company OCdts on the night. The day, how- ever, was not entirely taken up by preparation as the majority of my morning was used to write my set of orders and conducting the combat estimate for a deliberate attack, which, in some ways, was a good distraction from what was to come due to the methodical approach that needed to be taken.
The biggest frustration of the night for myself and OCdt Willets turned out to be the strict hair styles,
sparring sessions working at 50% power was incorporated into the training programme allowing us to utilise our new skills on opponents in the ring. Safe to say, there were a few nose bleeds and dizzy spells for some of the boxers but that cer- tainly didn’t phase them, given how much work had already gone into training.
Safe to say, there were a few nose bleeds and dizzy spells for some
of the boxers but that certainly didn’t phase them
which seemed minor but required some spare hands from the platoon. In the warm up room, there was a mixture of emotions but no one appeared to be worried or stressed, with one of them even finding time for a brief nap. We had an excellent coach aiding the sub- sequent fighter with technique, pad work and shadow boxing warming them up for their round. He himself is an OCdt in Old College but has many years of fighting experience in both
The Wednesday prior to fight night, we had the privilege of sparring at Aldershot in front of the Army boxing team. This was the decider for who would be fighting on the night, so there was certainly some tough competition. I can say for myself that was the hardest sparring session I had encountered yet against OCdt Duke, who ulti- mately became my opponent on the night. After being hit in the face for the first time, my hopes of it putting my broken nose back into place did not come true. Myself and my partner from the day were selected for the night as the second of the 2 female fights, with 20 of the junior lads being reduced to 8. There was a vast mix of fighting styles and approaches which would all lead to a highly rewarding evening.
We were invited to watch the Army boxing team fight the county team over in Aldershot on Friday night. There were new styles and tactics that we had not experienced in training leading to every- one taking away a new point noted from the night. It was a thoroughly enjoyable night with some very talented fighters, and I can safely say that I took new fighting styles from that into my fight.
MMA and boxing. But he had taken the time to use his knowledge and skills to aid all of us first time fighters with every training session. Safe to say his confident and chilled demeanour was exactly what our team required for the fight.
I was able to watch the first 5 fights which hosted an array of fighting styles and techniques creating unique and exhilarating fights. The first 3 fights were dominated by Old College but a few of the following rounds were being clawed back by New College. The fights prior to mine ended in a few bloodied faces and black eyes but that did not stop our junior fighters from persevering and winning their fights.
Then it was my turn. Waiting out the back, I had a calm and cheerful demeanour, joking with my coach. I certainly went full out with the level of confidence on my walk out with the Army boxing team captain even stating some of their own fight- ers don’t walk out with that much swagger. As I approached my corner, my platoon were bellowing and raising signs, which I couldn’t help but crack a smile to. Once in the ring I presented a calm
18 SANDHURST