RISING Albion Park boxing star Sam Goodman has set his sights on a World Youth Championship gold medal after picking up a redemptive under 19s Australian title earlier this month.
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It was Goodman’s second national title, to go with five state titles, after he was controversially denied the national strap by decision last year, a loss that also cost him a spot on Australia’s Youth Commonwealth Games team.
Goodman said the loss, was gut-wrenching at the time but may yet prove the catalyst for a tilt at next year’s Commonwealth Games and ultimately to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“It was really disappointed [last year] but I think the loss made me mentally stronger in a lot of ways,” Goodman said.
“There were times I was really down about boxing but we worked through it. We went to America and fought and we just kept working and kept working and it paid off.
“This year it all fell into place.”
He’s since avenged that loss and notched wins over national champions either side of his 56kgs division putting him well in the frame for selection on the Australian team for the youth world championships in Russia. As usual, he’s aiming for gold.
“It’s going to be hard over there. There’ll be a lot of tough fighters there but I’m going there for a gold medal,” he said.
It would be the latest of several trips for Goodman who’s traveled to China, England – where he sparred in the gyms of British legends Ricky Hatton and Amir Kahn – and the US last year.
his most recent overseas trip netted a silver medal at the World Ringside Championships in Kansas City – the world’s largest open amateur tournament.
“I thought I did enough to win but it was close. I left it too close to win in America but it was a great experience,” he said.
With his sights set on next year’s Commonwealth Games and the ultimate dream of a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Goodman said the International experience is invaluable.
“You really need that experience,” Goodman said.
“You can’t go to an Olympics having never fought outside Australia. You want to know what it’s like and not be shocked or surprised
“You don’t want to go to an Olympics or a Commonwealth Games for a tracksuit you want to get that gold medal. The only way to get there is to fight these people beforehand and get better from it. I’ve never felt out of place at that level.
“I’m pretty keen on representing Australia at Commonwealth Games and hopefully the [Tokyo] Olympics and a medal there. That’s the ultimate goal.
