Rosie Eccles Ends Olympic Dream . . . But Will Fight for Wales at Commonwealth Games

The 29-year-old Welsh fighter, who endured a hugely controversial defeat at the 2024 Summer Olympics, will no longer be part of the GB Boxing squad. 

However, she will continue training with the Welsh national set-up in Cardiff and is targeting one final major appearance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games this summer.

Eccles – from Newport and nicknemd, “Right-Hand Rosie” - intends to defend the light-middleweight title she captured at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

The Glasgow event would mark her third appearance at the Games and offer the chance to complete a full set of medals, having previously won gold in Birmingham and silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

READ MORE: Rosie Eccles Controversy Is One Part Of Olympic Boxing Crisis, Says Carl Frampton

Explaining her decision to step away from the Olympic pathway, Eccles said: “Chasing the Olympic dream has been my life. 

“But after eight incredible years, I’ve made the hardest decision of all, to stop chasing it and to leave GB Boxing.

“As much as I still desire Olympic glory in LA, the reality is that my body has new limits now. 

“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.”

 

Eccles has been a prominent figure in the GB programme since joining in 2018, shortly after claiming Commonwealth silver on the Gold Coast and following an impressive bronze-medal performance at the 2019 European Amateur Boxing Championships.

Her Olympic ambitions were initially derailed during the cycle leading up to the 2020 Summer Olympics.
 
A combination of injuries and disruption to the qualification process caused by the global coronavirus pandemic meant she never had the opportunity to fight for a place at those Games.

She remained committed to the programme for the next Olympic cycle and enjoyed some of the most successful moments of her career. 

Eccles won Commonwealth gold in Birmingham and later secured her place at Paris 2024 by claiming bronze at the 2023 European Games.

GB boxing performance director Rob McCracken paid tribute to the Welsh fighter’s contribution to the programme and her influence on younger athletes.

“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,” said McCracken.

“She put in 100% every day and can be very proud of her achievements in winning medals at multiple major championships and qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris. 

“Securing Olympic qualification is a massive achievement in its own right and it is brilliant that Rosie finally managed to do this after all of the bad luck she experienced in the Tokyo cycle.

“While we are disappointed to see Rosie leave, we recognise she has given everything to GB Boxing and has been a fantastic example and role model to many of the younger boxers in our squad. 

“She is a great person to have around and though she will be sadly missed by all of the coaches and support staff, Rosie will always be welcome in the GB Boxing gym and we hope she will come back to see us regularly.”

Reflecting on her time within the programme, Eccles said the experience of pursuing the Olympic dream had shaped her life and career.

“As hard as it is to say goodbye, what a privilege it has been to chase my childhood dream for as long as I have and to be supported in doing so. 

“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.

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone at GB Boxing, and of course The National Lottery. There is so much unseen work that goes into giving us boxers the very best chance of success.

“While I am leaving GB Boxing and the Olympic stage behind, 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.”