Aussie boxer Skye Nicolson, whose late brother Jamie fought for Australia 29 years ago at the Barcelona Olympics, missed out on an Olympic medal by a crushingly close split decision to British Karriss Artingstall on Wednesday night.
The 25 year old, who was born after Jamie and his little brother died in a car crash in 1994, was leading into the third of three rounds but was distraught when the decision went against her. Two judges gave her the bout, one 30-27 and one 29-28. But three judges saw the fight 29-28 to the Brit.
Nicolson wept after the fight having missed out on becoming the first Australian woman to progress to an Olympic boxing medal. A win woould have taken her to a semifinal, where losers share a bronze medal.
No need to apologise @SkyeNicolson.
Well fought and we're all right behind you ❤️#Tokyo2020 | #7Olympics pic.twitter.com/AYHwOhh6cw
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) July 28, 2021
Her interview after the bout was red raw and many viewers found the broadcasters went too far with their questioning.
The cheek of #7Olympics interviewing a distraught Skye Nicolson, who just lost her match, and then speaking about the brave decision of Simone Biles to withdraw from the Olympics. Why did you ask Skye what her next move is?
— Lauren Farrell (@lauren1750) July 28, 2021
Disgusted with treatment of Skye Nicholson by @7olympics after losing her match today. She was obviously deeply upset, but they made her go through an interview. Ghouls like that make elite-level sport the mental hell it is. #Tokyo2020
— Kim Kemmis (@kimkemmis) July 28, 2021
“It’s pretty hard to put into words right now,’’ Nicolson said after the bout, wiping tears with a towel.
“I came here with one goal and that was a gold medal and I truly believed that I was going to win it. So to go out now is really, really hard for me.’’
She was the only Australian female boxer to make a quarter-final but said: “that means nothing to me.
“I care about what I am capable of and not achieving that is really heartbreaking.’’
Nicolson then apologised to her supporters back home, which inlcuded her dad Allan – whom she wished happy birthday after her opening win – and her mother Pat.
“Sorry I didn’t get the job done. I’ll be back bigger, better and stronger next time,: she said”
Jamie won a bronze medal in the 1990 Commonwealth Games and fought at the Barcelona Olympics, also winning a world championship medal.
But two years after the Olympics he was driving on the Pacific Highway at Helensvale, Queensland, with 10-year-old Gavin on their way to boxing training when they were both killed.
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