Jaya and Serena can achieve everything in the sport - trainer

The Leamington girls who may be future stars of women’s boxing

AS the dust settles on the European heroics of Leamington schoolgirls Jaya Kalsi and Serena Mali, Edwin Cleary, who runs the spa town gym that spawned both starlets, has had time to reflect on their stunning achievements.

“What can they achieve?” Edwin pondered, repeating the question. “Everything in boxing terms.”

Jaya, aged 13, struck gold in the School Euros, staged in Maribor, Slovenia.

In Friday’s final, she looked every inch a slick pro, continually speared Anahit Harutyunyan, from Armenia, in the under 48kg class.

Serena Mali, aged 14, claimed under 46kg bronze at the championships and looked a real talent. Unfortunately, in her third bout, she lost a 4-1 split to Ireland’s Ella Archibold.

Both girls have the ingredients to be stars of the future.

Edwin said: “I’ve told their parents, the system and coaching is there. The most important thing is that they avoid the distractions, that they stay on track.

“There are different distractions for girls than boys, but there are distractions.

“Serena had a dislocation of her knee at the start of the year and it took time to get her confidence back. She went up to 51kg and won the British title, beating last year’s silver medallist. She is even more determined now.

“Jaya and Serena have done brilliantly. They are a dream to coach. They come in and do everything we ask them to do when we ask them to do it.

“Every so often a Tiger Woods and a Serena Williams comes along, and I think they’re like that. I think they can pitch the female sport to another level.”

Edwin added: “I can’t see why they can’t achieve everything. I see them in the gym more than the other coaches.”