Tokyo target for Chesterfield boxing star Jade Ashmore
Chesterfield boxing star Jade Ashmore starts her bid for the 2020 Olympics this weekend when she begins her Great Britain assessment.
Supported by the ICON bursary programme, Jade, 18, from Heath, is due to undergo ‘three to four’ trials in a bid to earn a place on the podium potential squad.
This follows her success in winning silver at the British Championships last weekend, leaving her now ranked second in Britain in the 51kg category.
Jade made it through to the final of the event at Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre, Scotland, but lost out to Wales’ Lynsey Holloway.
“I felt I boxed well and kept to my tactics,” she said. “I thought I’d got the bout, only for the decision to go in Lynsey’s favour, but I’m not too disheartened.
“I only started my senior career in January and I’ve only had six bouts as a senior and I am developing with every bout.
“I never look out of place in the ring and it just shows that I am up to the standards of some of the world-class boxers I’ve faced.”
Jade qualified for the British Championships thanks to her performances at the English National Championships.
Having won her semi-final unanimously, she lost out to vastly-experienced world silver medallist Lisa Whiteside in the final.
As Whiteside went on to box in the World Championships at 54kg, Jade was asked to fight in the Brits at 51kg.
Jade added: “I am pleased with the way I have boxed in my first year as a senior.
“When I faced Lisa, I knew I had my work cut out as I’d only had four previous senior bouts and she has had over 100 senior bouts at an elite international level.
“I showed skill and determination but narrowly missing out on that gold, putting up a good performance against a seasoned boxer.”
After the GB trial this weekend, Jade will box for the English title belt on June 19.
The ICON programme supporting Jade gives 127 athletes from across the county financial support, a free leisure pass in their area and valuable PR exposure during 2015-16. For more information search online for ICON Derbyshire.
