LYONS?BROOK - A lot of boxers start with success, and begin to take it for granted. Brody Blair says he won't ever worry about that.
Blair, who has been boxing for about eight years, won his first gold medal at the Canadian junior and cadet boxing championship in Edmonton last weekend. Before that, his highest national honour was a bronze medal, and he said this one came from hard work, training, and help from his family and friends.
Blair began making trips to Halifax - sometimes three sessions a week - to train with well-known coach Wayne Gordon. That meant many miles of driving from his father,?Robert, distances Brody thinks helped get him the gold.
"My parents helped me so much, and my dad was always with me, driving me everywhere and supporting me," Brody said. "They believed in me."
Blair also thanked Gordon and his training partner, Darcy Ross.?When it comes to the medal hanging around his neck, the young champion can take the credit for that.
After all, his performances were so impressive that he was named youth male boxer of the year, and will join Team?Canada's 'A' team for a trip to Poland and Lithuania in?April. After that, there might be a tournament in Kansas City, and a training session with top amateur and professional coaches in?Montreal later in the year.
Still, Blair takes it all in stride.
"It's all just a good experience and makes you a little bit better each time."
