Tag: Gold Coast

GOLD COAST - The big boppers in the male 90kg and +91kg at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games are ready to create their own blockbusters at Oxenford Studios. Hollywood hits including Thor: Ragnarok and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales have been filmed at the studios recently, but it's the boxers who will be writing the scripts at GC2018. Medals will be contested in 10 male divisions at the venue, with eight medallists from Glasgow 2014 returning. David NYIKA (NZL) is moving up to 91kg after winning gold at 81kg in Glasgow, while Jonas JONAS (NAM, 64kg) aims to go one better after taking silver four years ago. Bronze medallists Abdul OMAR (GHA, 52kg), Reece McFADDEN (SCO, 52kg), Benson NJANGIRU (KEN, 56kg), Michael ALEXANDER (TTO, 60kg), Steven DONNELLY (NIR, 69kg) and Benny MUZIYO (ZAM, 75kg) are also back. OMAR is moving up to 60kg on the Gold Coast, while DONNELLY is making the step up to 75kg. But it is the heavyweights who will make the biggest impact. Arsene FOKOU FOSSO (CAM) took bronze in the +91kg division at the 2017 world championships in Hamburg and is the current African champion. He faces an impressive line-up of heavy hitters including Frazer CLARKE (ENG), Nigel PAUL (TTO), Patrick MAILATA (NZL), Satish KUMAR (IND) and Toese VOU SIUTU (AUS). The 91kg division is also promising to shake the foundations with NYIKA (NZL) stepping up a division to take on 2017 European silver medallist Cheavon CLARKE (ENG) and Australian hope, Jason WHATELEY, while Christian NDZIE TSOYE will provide another threat from Cameroon. England finished top of the pile in Glasgow with three gold meals and have brought an eight-strong team to the Gold Coast. The charge will be led by 2017 world champion bronze medallist Peter McGRAIL (56kg). Twin brothers Luke McCORMACK (64kg) and Pat McCORMACK (69kg) both reached the last 16 in Hamburg, with Pat advancing to the quarterfinals. The venue at Oxenford Studios has a 3000-seat capacity and sound-proof walls which will ensure a fantastic atmosphere. The competition runs from 5 to 14 April.