IT PROVED to be third time lucky for University of Coventry boxer Vicky Lewis as she celebrated her first ever win in the ring at the BUCS Nationals in Sheffield.
Lewis, who fights in the women’s novice 54-57kg category, had lost her two previous fights coming into the competition at Ponds Forge on Friday.
But undeterred by a late call up following a disqualification to another boxer, Lewis put in an impressive performance to see off spirited Oxford fighter Lucy Harris.
The verdict came via a split decision from the judges, although Lewis was just glad to have recorded her first victory.
“It was all a bit confusing up in the ring when they announced the result, so I didn’t think I’d won, and it’s my first ever win and I’m so happy.” she said.
“I thought we were even all the way through, but then last round my corner told me I needed to go for it. I’ve lost my last two so this was all or nothing.
“I only found out I was going to be in this fight earlier this week after a disqualification, but I stayed in shape after losing earlier so it wasn’t too bad.”
Lewis’ gold was one of several medals picked up by local boxers in the ring with Kenilworth’s Mike Hazelwood winning silver – the Clearys Boxing Gym member failing to get the better of Mali Wright in the men’s open 75-81kg final – and University of Coventry’s Bolu Kareem taking gold in the men’s novice 75-81kg category after victory over James Reading.
In the karate, Coventry men’s team defeated Nottingham in the Kumite team final while University of Coventry judoka Emma Reid took gold in the Under-78kg division on Saturday.
The 19-year-old was fighting up a weight from her usual division but showed no sign of being in difficulty with victory over Imperial’s Zuzana Lednarova.
“They’re obviously much bigger in this weight, but the heavier you get the slower your opponents are, so I had to use a bit more of my speed.” said Reid.
“This year I want to get to as many European Cups as I can to get ranking points which will allow me to go to World and European Championships in September and October.
“Those two competitions are really important, and I genuinely think I can go there and bring back a medal.”
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the governing body for Higher Education sport in the UK, representing 170 institutions and facilitating 52 sport programmes. BUCS has been shortlisted for Governing Body of the Year at the BT Sports Industry Awards 2015 and is supported by Deloitte www.bucs.org.uk
