Larkhall teenager Cody Houston is looking to forge a career in boxing after winning his first tournament gold medal.
The 14-year-old from Ashgill took heavyweight gold at the Scottish Novice Championships at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell on Sunday, representing Hamilton ABC.
Mum Vicky says there has been a huge change in the Larkhall Academy third-year pupil since taking up the sport three-and-a-half years ago, and that she and husband Craig were hugely impressed by his boxing.
Vicky said: “We’re over the moon, absolutely delighted. We’re so chuffed for him.
“It has probably been one of the most nerve-wracking weekends of my life, but the best weekend as well!
“Over lockdown and then Covid, we were never allowed in the club to watch him, so we didn’t know how good a fighter he was – we were just getting information from his coach, Jimmy Stirling.
“On Saturday, his first fight in a competition, was the first time we actually saw him fighting.
“That was really nerve-wracking and he says it was the toughest thing he ever did, but he was just so buzzing about it, and it is making him want to do it more and to do better.
“He wants to take it up properly, this is something he wants to go forward with, and compete again.”
Vicky says Cody originally took up the sport to help him with asthma, but he quickly found a talent for it.
She explained: “Cody has quite bad asthma and struggled with that, and we were looking at stuff for his fitness and just trying to get him a bit healthier.
“He was interested in boxing, my husband Craig looked into it, and Hamilton Boxing Club came highly recommended, so he started with then.
“He just totally loved it.
“Cody has so much passion for it, and his coaches have said he started like Bambi and now he’s a boxer!
“He has been doing really well in the club. They say he listens to everything they tell him, takes it on board, and he sits and watches old boxing videos constantly, looking at the techniques.
“He’s sparring with some of the older boys who will turn pro next year. It’s something that he’s really passionate about.”
Vicky also insists Cody’s love of the sport has helped him come out of his shell.
She added: “It has totally changed his confidence. He has always been quite a quiet boy, but it has made him more confident in himself, and all the training has made him really fit.
“I think the whole discipline thing is good for him, because it makes him think about his food, exercise, and I think it makes him a better person. It has been great for him.
“It has been such a change for Cody, and I would highly recommend anyone going to the boxing club now, whereas before I was totally against it. It’s been amazing for him.”
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