Harris Akbar Going for Gold
When we started the Yorkshire Boxing Sport Science Program, we was particularly excited to be working with the best boxers the region. One of the boxers on the program has an exciting competition coming up next month.
Harris Akbar of Bradford will be competing in the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa next month. The young welterweight has been training hard at Sheffield Hallam University, and will be jetting off to New Zealand to complete his final preparations.
At just 16 years of age, Harris is the youngest on the current Youth England Squad, however this has not phased him and he is confident of success. We managed to have a quick chat to Harris before he leaves for this fantastic opportunity.
Hello Harris, can you introduce yourself and your upcoming competition?
Hi my name is Harris Akbar, 16 years old and I’m a boxer for Bradford college. I’m England junior champion and the only current 1998 youth champion. I am proud to have represented my country at Youth level, and I am currently training for the Youth Commonwealth games in Samoa this September.
How has preparation gone for that?
Preparation for the games have been going really well. This is the first time I’ve added strength and conditioning into my training as I always thought I’d start S&C at 16, I have found the addition extremely beneficial. Before the program, I didn’t really know much about S&C, but I have received a lot of help from Yorkshire boxing sport science program and I’m really enjoying the sessions.
The video below type of conditioning sessions Harris has been taking part in on the Yorkshire Boxing Sport Science Program. Find out more here.
What’s your aim in Samoa and your future career?
I’m going for gold in Samoa and then hopefully European championships in Poland soon. I have just received scholarship with TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) through England boxing , and I’m hoping to get in the development squad . My ultimate goal is to represent Team GB in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and I’ll do the best I can to get there.
It has been a pleasure help Harris preparing for the games, Boxing Science would like to wish him the best of luck in Samoa.
Want to train like Harris? Click here to see how you can ‘Train with Us’.