BY SCOTT HADDOW
Boxer Ryan Ranelli has earned the right to
trade punches with the best in the world as he has qualified
for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in
Melbourne, Australia.
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Sudbury native Ryan Ranelli is
following in the footsteps of his uncle, Bill, as he
prepares for his biggest bout to date. |
The event runs from March 15 to 26.
The Sudbury native, who now works and trains
in Hamilton, won the 51-kilogram Canadian National Senior
Championship in January. Winning put Ranelli in the driver's
seat for the spot on Team Canada.
All he had to do was beat the same boxer from
the Canadian nationals one more time at the final team
selection box off in Quebec in late January.
The challenger had to win twice to grab the
spot.
Early in the match, the referee was behind
Ranelli and caused him to trip. The ensuing fall severely
sprained Ranelli's ankle and caused him to lose the bout.
Organizers gave Ranelli three weeks to heal
before the second match and he came back ready to explode, but
didn't have to.
"I kept training through the injury and
showed up for the second box off bout in Halifax in late
February," said the 20-year-old. "My opponent didn't show, so I
won by walk over. It just shows he didn't want it bad enough.
Despite my injury, I showed up to fight."
Ranelli can hardly wait to represent Canada
at one of the major sporting events in the world. He knows it
puts him in a very select spotlight for an even bigger athletic
event in the future.
"It feels awesome to go," said the former
ONTC member. "It's the biggest international tournament I have
ever been to. It means a lot to me because it's a stepping
stone to the 2008 Olympics, which is where I want to go."
Ranelli is following more of his family
roots, as his uncle, Bill, won a bronze medal in boxing at the
1978 Commonwealth Games.
While the challenge will be his biggest to
date, Ranelli is ready for all out war.
"The competition is going to be much better
than I have ever faced before," said the puncher. "There are 71
countries involved. Overall, it's going to
be a great learning experience to try my best
against the best competition and that way I can improve for the
future. It will give me a good idea of where I stand in the
world."
Team Canada coach Vinnie Ryan sees Ranelli as
a deserving participant.
"He has proven he's the champion," said Ryan.
"He's ready. He doesn't have the experience. It's a big task
for him."
The Commonwealth Games will benefit Ranelli
win, lose or draw.
"The Games will be difficult for him," said
Ryan. "This is a stepping stone for the 2008 Olympics. What we
need from Ryan is as much international experience as possible.
Whatever happens will be a benefit to him. He can see all the
other boxers and find out what he has to improve."
