Australia’s ballet-loving boxer picks up bronze after crashing out of the semi-finals in Tokyo against Cuba’s Andy Cruz in a tense bout in the ring
Australian boxer Harry Garside will take home a bronze medal after going down in the men’s lightweight boxing semi-final at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 24-year reigning Commonwealth Games champion faced off with Cuba’s two-time world champion Andy Cruz in the ring on Friday.
Garside refused to back down against Cruz but the Cuban proved to be too strong winning each of the three rounds.
The Melbourne boxer had added ballet to his training regime ahead of the Tokyo Games with the skill appearing to pay off after he defeated Kazakhstan’s Zakir Safiullin in the quarter finals.
Garside was already guaranteed a medal as both semi-final losers are awarded bronze.
Australian boxer Harry Garside will take home a bronze medal after going down in the men’s lightweight boxing semi-final at the Tokyo Olympics
Going into the match Cruz was the man to beat having won 110 fights from 118, while Garside has won 19 out of 34.
Garside made a statement when he ripped off his boxing gloves following his quarter-final win to reveal his nails had been painted in a rainbow pattern.
‘I just want to break stereotypes, to be honest,’ he said after the fight.
‘There’s a lot of people out there who feel like they have to be something because they’re a male or a female. I’m all about just being different.’
The qualified plumber admitted he considered wearing a dress to to the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
‘But I didn’t want to offend anyone,’ the six-time national amateur champion added.
‘I feel like some people might take it the wrong way, so this is my way of showcasing something.’
Garside later flashed his nails again for the camera after his quarter-final win to share on social media.
‘Forgot to get these out on TV, fresh nails,’ he captioned the close-up.
‘Thank you everyone for the love, doing this for Australia.’
Garside implemented ballet into his training regimen several years ago to improve his footwork and balance.
Harry Garside shared a close up of his fresh nails after Wednesday’s quarter-final victory
The qualified plumber says ballet training (pictured) has helped improve his fitness and footwork in the ring
‘I’m not going to lie, I’d always wanted to try ballet. I say I do it for boxing, but really, I have always wanted to dance,’ Garside said.
‘Ballet’s very tough, the power through the legs that they generate, the coordination, everything is just so extreme.’
Australia hasn’t won an Olympic boxing medal since Grahame ‘Spike’ Cheney won silver at the 1988 Games in Seoul.
Australian previously won bronze with Kevin Hogarth in 1956, and Oliver Taylor and Anthony Madigan at the 1960 Games in Rome.