Olympic Hopeful Tommy Costello is Gunning for Gold
By Lisa Smith

A KNOCK-OUT young boxer from Chelmsley Wood is looking to emulate his hero - Britain's Olympic silver medallist, Amir Khan. And Tommy Costello, aged 16, is not only planning to win in the ring, but hopes to encourage other youngsters whose lives are on the ropes to choose boxing as a way to keep out of trouble.

Tommy, who is trained by his dad John, 34, first donned a pair of boxing gloves at the age of ten when he used to spar in the garden of the family's Marston Green home.
He then went on to join the Birmingham City Gym in Sparkbrook and later Small Heath Amateur Boxing Club. It was then his dad decided to take on coaching the youngster himself and he now runs Chelmsley Wood ABC at the
Chapelhouse Club in Chapelhouse Lane offering 25 youngsters aged seven and upward classes four nights a week.
Tommy, whose grandparents hail from Galway and Shannon, recently became the National Junior Amateur Boxing
Association Champion at 63kg to add to the gold medal he won in the Four Nations Championships in 2003.
He has also competed in five major finals and earned himself a place in the current England squad and is now gunning for gold in the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 and the London Olympics four years later.
The light welter-weight, who dropped out of Archbishop Grimshaw School to concentrate on his boxing, said: "I am confident of the 2012 Olympics but would love to make the 2008 squad. I will be 19 then and 23 in 2012 when I then plan to turn professional."
John said Amir Khan's silver medal at Athens had done a great deal to boost a sport which did not get enough positive publicity.
He said: "People think boxing is dangerous but the amateur sport is safer than football and rugby - there have only ever been two fatalities at this level.
“The boys are very disciplined, only fight over short bouts and wear compulsory headgear.”
“The professional game is different because of the duration of fights and the fact fighters often suffer dehydration as they struggle to make the weight. That puts a huge strain on their health in the ring.”
John said, “Tommy, who is unusually quiet and shy outside the ring, was extremely dedicated and determined to achieve his life-time goal.” He said: “Obviously Thomas can't go to the pub with mates at the weekend and I doubt he will ever drink. I don't think he can remember the last time he had chips as he trains six days a week and has a strict diet to adhere to.”
"But it is all paying off - he loves boxing and it is his life - and it has already encouraged his brother Joe to follow his example."
John, who relies on sponsorship from ML Sports and Liam O’Connor to keep his young fighters going, is currently working with Positive Futures - Solihull's Young Offenders Team.
The group tries to encourage kids to stay on the rails and use the gym and the ring to keep them out of trouble.
He said: "Boxing can turn kids' lives around and it is better they come in here and train than hang around the streets.
“It is also a great sport for giving the weaker, vulnerable kids a bit of self-confidence, as Thomas is now proving.
Thomas boxed Eaton Mangan an 18 year old international in Castlebar Co Mayo last month, Thomas gave considerable age and weight to Eamon but came out a points winner in a cracking bout. He will now box in the Junior ABA's in March and is currently awaiting a call up for International duty, It could be the key to Olympic glory"
Chelmsley Wood ABA is always on the look-out for new members and currently caters for would-be fighters aged seven to 34. Call John on 07949 812948 for details.