A Fighting Chance

A fighting chance of representing us in the 2012 Olympics!

Having achieved a bronze medal in the Junior Olympics, 21 year old boxer Miles Shinkwin from Bushey, has now set his sights on his next 2 goals; representing England in the Commonwealth Games in India and again at the London Olympics. His first obstacle will be winning the senior nationals next April.

He has been boxing now for 11 years, coached by his father and ex-welterweight boxer, Danny Shinkwin.

Miles is currently ranked 7th in Britain and 4th in England in the light-heavyweight senior division of the ABAE. Despite his intensive training regime, he still manages to work full time as a plumber for PJ Heating, which he’s been doing for the last 4 years.

Originally planning on a career in Sports Journalism, it seemed a fairly dramatic shift into plumbing. It turns out that PJ Heating had actually fitted their family bathroom and Miles had asked if he could do a couple of days work with them during the school break. 2 days later, he was their newest apprentice. Miles explained how the apprenticeship is supposed to take 2 years and he completed it in a record time of 14 months; yet another example of Miles’ determination to achieve his goals.

We asked if he had any advice for today’s teenagers? “Concentrate, work hard and have the determination to succeed!”

I’m sure you’ll join us in wishing Miles all the best for the Commonwealth Games and the London Olympics!

This article was created on Monday, 12th October 2009. It was last tinkered with on Monday, 9th November 2009.

This is the 39th issue of Flea Magazine in Watford. The on-line version of the articles below includes additional content that we couldn't fit into the printed version.

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