Rosie Eccles Plans to Compete at Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Rosie Eccles has announced her decision to leave the GB Boxing squad, citing that her body can no longer endure the rigorous demands of training for the Olympics.
The Welsh light-middleweight boxer has chosen to depart from the World Class Programme (WCP) and will not be part of the GB team for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, which would have been her second Olympic Games.
Eccles will now train with the Welsh national team based in Cardiff and intends to defend her 2022 Commonwealth gold medal at the upcoming Games in Glasgow this summer.
"I hope for one last dance before I retire from the sport altogether. My goal is to compete one final time under the Welsh flag at the Commonwealth Games and bring home one last medal for my country," she said.
Career Highlights and Injury Challenges
The 29-year-old from Caldicot secured gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, having previously won silver at the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Her journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics ended controversially after a split-decision loss to Poland's Aneta Rygielska in the women's 66kg boxing category.
Throughout her career, Eccles has faced numerous health setbacks, including illness and injuries. She missed the Tokyo Olympics due to Covid-19 and has battled nerve damage in her arm, a lower back fracture, and a knee injury.
"As much as I still desire Olympic glory in LA, the reality is that my body has new limits now," Eccles explained.
"I've worked relentlessly to return to competitive form after serious injuries but to expect my body to endure another two and a half years of what Olympic success demands would be unrealistic.
"My proudest moment will always be securing my Olympic qualification and then, a year later, walking to the ring for my Olympic debut in Paris. Absolute magic. And a true team effort."
Early Career and Future Plans
Eccles began boxing at age 16 and joined the GB squad in 2018. Reflecting on her journey, she described it as a "privilege" to pursue her childhood dream.
"If you had told the younger me that I would spend eight years living away from home, training three times a day on a World Class Programme in pursuit of the Olympics, I would have been in awe," she added.
With one final goal remaining before retirement, Eccles is fully focused on concluding her career on a high note.
"For these final six months, I am heading home to my Welsh team to finish my career where it all began before turning my focus to giving back to the sport that has given me everything."
Support and Recognition
Rob McCracken, GB Boxing's performance director, praised Eccles' career and expressed support for her upcoming Commonwealth Games campaign.
"Winning a medal in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow would be a fitting end to a brilliant career," he said.
"Rosie has been a brilliant boxer for us who always gave her all and she is an absolute credit to herself, her family, GB Boxing and Welsh sport."
