Mandurah-based boxers Sophie Ingledew, Devan Ninyette and Lucy Robinson all punched their way to wins at the Under 19s Australian Boxing Championships on the Gold Coast last month.
The Moorey's Martial Arts trio made it a clean sweep for their Erskine-based gym, as each fought their way through a grueling set of matches to be crowned the best in the country for their age and weight divisions.
En route to his first ever Australian title, the 16-year-old Ninyette was emphatic in the junior 75 kilogram division, lasting through three fights to take out the gold.
After winning his way through to the final on the back of technical knockout victory, Ninyette was able to outlast his opponent for a unanimous points decision win to secure top spot.
Robinson faced her own challenges as she boxed her way to her first ever national title.
The 15-year-old junior 50kg fighter was almost forced to abandon her fight as she battled a stomach virus, but determined not to give in after months of training she fought on, claiming a unanimous win.
"It was pretty awesome. Once I got in the ring I didn't really feel sick anymore, just with all the adrenaline," she said.
"When I first started boxing I just wanted some fights, so to be a national champion now is pretty awesome."
Ingledew rounded out the success for the local gym, as she stormed to a second straight national title.
Moving up a division proved no problem for the exciting young Aussie prospect, as she edged out a Victorian challenger to take out first place.
Moorey's Martial Arts coach Jason Moore said the three victories were unprecedented for the gym, and heaped praise on his young pupils.
"The work rate these three show in their day-to-day training and how dedicated they are to succeeding in the sport is phenomenal," he said.
"Their enthusiasm is infectious so to see them getting these results on the national stage, it's huge for our gym but more importantly it's recognition of all the hard work they put in.
"To have three Australian champions at our gym, that's a serious achievement and something we're really proud of.
"Hopefully it puts them in line to achieve even bigger things in the future."
For more information on the tournament or to find out more about Moorey's Martial Arts call the gym on 9586 2006.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
