Illawarra amateur boxer Mark Lucas, left, and his Forte Boxing coach Nudge Mieli. Picture: ORLANDO CHIODO
BOXING
It's been a big year so far for Forte Boxing coach Nudge Mieli and student Mark Lucas.
Lucas has been selected from 20 elite amateur boxers to represent Australia in Europe in four of the best tournaments over a five-week period.
Lucas attended an eight-day camp at the AIS in Canberra, to which 20 boxers were invited.
Only four were to be selected and the selections were performance-based.
Three training sessions a day and two fights in eight days was a huge workload, but Lucas took it in his stride and excelled at all that was put in front of him, culminating in a close points win over the Australian champion.
Training consisted of track work, partner work strength and conditioning, and competition sparring.
Lucas toured China earlier this year and was successful in five fights, with a win over the youth world champion. His selection is a culmination of five years of hard work and dedication.
Mieli said there was no one more dedicated and hard-working than Lucas.
"This kid has made enormous sacrifices in his life to get to where he is," Mieli said.
"We have spent countless hours in the gym working on things to make him better, countless hours travelling to sparring and quite a few trips to the AIS.
"Mark will get invaluable experience in Europe, competing against the best boxers in the world."
Mieli has also had success with his coaching career, this year being selected as a Centre of Excellence coach for NSW.
As a COE coach, Mieli will be expected to attend camps with kids who have been selected with potential to be developed.
He will also be a talent scout and will visit gyms looking for kids who show potential.
He was also selected as one of the NSW coaches to attend the Australian titles in Adelaide.
"It was a great experience, working with some great young fighters and other coaches," Mieli said.
"We came together as a team and a state, and were crowned overall winners, which hasn't been done for a few years."
He was also invited to attend the same camp as Lucas but, due to work commitments, couldn't do so.