Malie Polak – showing that girls can have talent in boxing

 
At 13 years of age, Malie Polak is already making a name for herself as a promising young boxer at Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club, where her commitment is clear, even over a short chat with her alongside Naomi Dalton, one of the club’s assistant coaches, who like Malie started out just paying a visit and staying there.
 
At one time it wasn’t considered as a female sport  for youngsters like Malie but under head coach Graham Brockway every care is taken with their welfare. No-one is forced into the ring as a number of youngsters just go to keep fit and never put the gloves on.
 

Other sports

 
As well as her boxing success, Malie also enjoyed playing rugby for Haverfordwest High School and Haverfordwest RFC, where she used her speed in the three-quarter line to score more than her share of tries, including a few hat-tricks.
 
She also liked to compete at cross-country and ran for school at both Oakwood and Carmarthen but at the moment it is boxing that has captured her enthusiasm and energy.
 

A nervous start but loved the fitness training

 
The Merlins Bridge ABC gym was packed to capacity on the evening we paid our most recent visit but we found a quietish corner for our interview and it was hard to believe that this softly-spoken, modest young miss had first visited the gym with friends Elijah and Seren Jones because she lacked confidence in herself at school – but says that lack of confidence is well and truly in the past and she enjoys herself in whatever she takes on.
 
Mailie readily admits she was nervous on that first visit to the gym but was made very welcome by Graham and the rest of his support staff – and she thoroughly enjoyed the training from the outset.
“It was great to do the warm-up and even better when we moved on to  the ‘Ton-Up Challenge’, where ten different exercises like press-ups, sit-ups, squat thrusts and burpees are done ten times each, which I loved doing.”
 

On to sparring and gaining good experience

 
She was encouraged and praised all the way and it was almost a year later that she finally asked if she could try sparring, and pulled on the gloves for her first real venture into the ring. She had already had the gloves on to use the heavy bags and pads (held by the likes of Naomi) and her first time in the ring came on a Thursday evening for the ‘Kids’ Session’ so that she could go in with some boys who were younger participants, just to give her confidence.
 
“I boxed against another girl and really enjoyed the contact – and since then I’ve had no worries and even spar with boys on occasions if they are the right age, weight and experience.”
 

Family matters . . . and her first win

 
When Malie decided she was ready to box, Graham took her up to the ‘Stallion Gym’ in Llanelli where she received further tuition and good advice – and then it was off to her first bout, which took place in front of a big crowd at Maerdy Amateur Boxing Club, in the Rhondda Valley.
“My parents,  Sarah and Joseph Polak were there and I think they were more nervous than I was,” she told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk with a chuckle, “and walking up to the ring was strange – but with Graham giving me every encouragement I was soon in the ring, the bell sounded and the three 1-minute rounds flew by.”
 
Then came the decision and she and her opponent had a hand held by the referee until the MC announced the judges’ verdict – and it was Malie whose arm was raised aloft for a unanimous points decision, which meant all three judges chose her as the winner.
 

A second success and rightly proud of her trophies

 
Her next bout meant more travel, this time between Cardiff and Newport, with Malie proving too good for her opponent as the referee stopped the contest in the very first round because she was too strong and skilful for her opponent!
 
So now Malie already has two smashing trophies which she proudly displays in her room and she is hoping for a third one soon when Merlins Bridge hold their own show at the Withybush Showground and she hopes ‘Mr Brockway’ can find an opponent for her.
 
And if he does find one then PembrokeshireSport.co.uk will be there to cheer her on, as will everyone else at Marlins Bridge ABC, because Malie Polak is a credit to her family and the club – and deserves to do well!