BOXING CANADA NOMINATES SEVEN ATHLETES TO THE GLASGOW 2014 CANADIAN TEAM
Glasgow 2014 first ever Commonwealth Games to host Women’s boxing
June 2, 2014, Ottawa – Boxing Canada and Commonwealth Games Canada(CGC)today confirmed the seven athletes and two coaches for the sport of boxing to be named to Team Canada for the XXth Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Scotland this July.
Among the Team Canada boxing athletes, members of this strong group have been Canadian Champions on 21 occasions.
With much experience behind this team representing boxing in Canada, multi-sport Games leadership will come from 2012 Olympian Custio Clayton of Dartmouth Nova Scotia along with Samir El-Mais as the two returning Commonwealth Games athletes.
Two-time World Champion Ariane Fortin, coached by Mike Moffa will also build off her World Champion wins and seven national championships as she represents her country in the 75KG weight-class. Rounding out the strong women’s team members will be Pan-Am Champion and six-time Canadian Champion Mandy Bujold.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong pool of athletes ready to take on the best that these Commonwealth Games have to offer,” says Team Canada Chef de Mission, Chantal Peticlerc. “With performance a priority for the team at the XXth Commonwealth Games, as this road to Rio passes through Glasgow, we know our athletes will be striving for the best results.”
With Great Britain, one of the strongest nations at the last Olympics, being split into a number of individual countries, the competition in Glasgow is going to be extremely strong and Canada plans to be ready.
“We are reaching for the podium and wehave been able to select a tight team constructed to target medals,” says Daniel Trepanier, Boxing Canada High Performance Director / Head Coach. “Our Commonwealth team is composed of both seasoned veterans as well as some athletes who will make their first appearance at the Commonwealth Games. This is an outstanding opportunity for them to compete against the best in the world.”
Athletes and coaches nominated by Boxing Canada to Team Canada for the 2014 Commonwealth Games were selected based on Boxing Canada’s selection criteria.
They include:
ARIANE FORTIN, 30, 75KG, St. Nicholas, QC. This Montreal resident who began boxing in 2001 was the two-time AIBA Women’s World Champion (2006, 2008), 2005 AIBA Women’s World Silver medalist, four-time Continental Women’s Champion (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009), the seven-time Canadian Women's National Champion (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2013) and two-time Canadian silver medalist (2011, 2012).
MANDY BUJOLD, 27, 51KG, Toronto, ON. Boxing out of the Atlas Boxing Gym under coach Adrian Teodorescu, Bujold competed at the 2012 AIBA Women's World Championships in Qinhuangdao China and won a gold medal in the 51KG category at the 2011 Pan American Games and is a six-time National Champion (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013).
CUSTIO CLAYTON, 27, 69KG, Dartmouth, NS. Boxing out of the City of Lakes Boxing Club in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, Clayton began boxing in 1998. Clayton competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, placed sixth at the London 2012 Olympic Games (69KG), placed third at the 2013 Continental Championships in Santiago de Chile and is the 2009, 2010 and 2012 Canadian National Champion.
SAMIR EL-MAIS, 34, 91KG, Windsor, ON. After 70 bouts, “Sweet Sammy” is a returning Commonwealth Games athlete having placed 5th at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. He was a participant at the 2013 AIBA World Championships and placed third at the 2013 Continental Championships in Santiago de Chile and is the 2011 and 2012 National Champion.
BRODY ROBERT BLAIR, 23, 75KG, New Glasgow, NS. Influenced by idol Roy Jones Jr. and his father and coach Robert Blair, Brody competed in the 2013 AIBA World Championships, and placed fifth at the 2013 Continental Championships in Chile and bronze medal at the 2011 Pan-American Games Mexico. Blair is the 2009 National Youth Champion and two-time National Champion (2011, 2012).
DAVID GAUTHIER, 31, 60 KG, Québec, QC. Gauthier is the 2013 National Champion at 60KG, the 2012 Canadian Silver Medallist at 56KG and the 2010 Canadian Bronze medallist at 57KG.
ARTUR BIYARSLANOV, 19, 64KG, Toronto, ON. Coached by Adrian Teodorescu, this southpaw is the 2013 Canadian Bronze Medallist (64KG) and two-time Canadian Youth National Champion at 64KG (2011, 2012).
Coaches:
KEVIN HOWARD, North Vancouver, BC. Having represented England as an athlete in international competition, Howard began coaching in 1987 and has coached at the local and national level and has represented Canada internationally since 1991. Kevin’s coaching resumé includes Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games and World Championship experience.
DANIEL TREPANIER, Montréal, QC. Following his competitive career in Quebec, he began coaching in 2000. As the head coach of Boxing Canada, Trepanier has represented Canada at many international competitions including the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, the 2008 Youth Commonwealth Games, 2011 Men’s World Championships, 2012 Youth World Boxing Championships, 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2013 Men’s World Championships.
“Canada has a long tradition of excellence in boxing, and we are proud of the team that has been named to represent our country at the Commonwealth Games this summer in Glasgow,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “Congratulations to our boxers, and be assured that Canadians will be following and encouraging you as you face the best athletes in the Commonwealth. Good luck!”
The Canadian Team is expected to be comprised of 265 athletes, Canada’s largest Team ever fielded for a non-home Games. The entire Canadian Team will be officially named by Commonwealth Games Canada in July 2014.
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be held from July 23rd to August 3rd, 2014, and will be the largest ever multi-sport event held on Scottish soil.
ABOUT THE CANADIAN AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION
Boxing Canada is the National Sport Governing Body of Amateur Boxing in Canada, and is affiliated with the International Amateur Boxing Association called Association internationale de boxe amateur (AIBA).
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.
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For interview requests:
Daniel Trepanier
High Performance Director / Head Coach
Canadian Amateur Boxing Association
613 238 1600
dt@boxing.ca
For additional information on the Glasgow 2014 Canadian Team or CGC:
Sylvie Bigras
Communications Chief
Team Canada - Glasgow 2014
613 298 1625
sylvie@magma.ca
@cgc_jcc
#GlasgowCanadaGo
