AN unsuccessful attempt at making weight has cost Shelley Watts a chance to defend her Commonwealth Games gold medal.
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The 30-year-old from Port Macquarie was due to fight at Punchbowl on Thursday for a position in the Australian team, but she never even entered the ring.
Watts revealed just after 8pm last night on social media the dream was over.
Earlier in the day, with three kilograms and under one hour remaining until the end of weigh in, she made the decision to end her chance to fight.
It would ultimately also end any chances of her competing on the Gold Coast next year.
“It's not a decision that was taken lightly, or easily made,” she said through social media.
“But I want to start by telling everyone that this was a fault of my own and I take full responsibility.
“Shattered and gutted are two emotions that come to mind.”
Watts told the Port News in the lead-up to the titles that boxers always had concerns about making weight.
Unfortunately, those concerns would be realised.
“I don’t drink much and I don’t smoke, never have,” she said at the time.
“It’s just a matter of bringing my weight down and being more serious about what I’m doing when it comes to that sort of stuff and feeding my body with the right nutrients that I need to succeed.”
It’s another body blow for her preparations leading up to Tokyo 2020, but she remained confident of returning to the ring.
“Since January, I have dropped 16 kilograms and while I am disappointed I wasn't able to make the 60 kilogram weight limit for this tournament, I am proud of the work I've done and where I am at,” she said.
“Missing a home Commonwealth Games sucks!! But I will be there to cheer on all athletes and hopefully watch some amazing boxing talent win gold medals galore.”
Watts and coach Dean Groth were contacted for comment last night and this morning, but did not reply to text messages or phone calls.