British boxers had a great championship at the recent men’s European Championship in Moscow, returning with no fewer than three silver medals and two bronze. After such an incredible performance, the focus now switches to the prospects of the female members of the squad at the AIBA Women’s World Championship in Bridgetown, Barbados.

While it may sound a more likely venue for a beach volleyball tournament or a cricket tour (the boxers will compete in the Garfield Sobers gym), the Championship will be a serious affair. It is the largest ever women’s boxing competition hosted by AIBA and will feature 306 of the world’s best boxers from 75 nations.

The boxers will, therefore, have the chance to compete against the very best and gain invaluable experience on the road to 2012.  The next Women’s World Championship will be held in Chongqing, China in May 2012, and will be female boxers’ sole qualification event for London 2012.

Women’s boxing received a welcome and significant boost recently, with the International Olympic Committee voting in favour of the reintroduction of the sport at London 2012. In 2012, female boxers will compete in just three weight categories (51, 60 and 75kg). I would therefore expect competition to be especially fierce at these weight categories in Bridgetown.

While sadly not on location in Barbados, we at LOCOG will be closely following the success of the event and will be meeting with the International Federation (AIBA) in London at the end of the month to ensure no learning points from the event are missed.

For more details of the event, visit the International Federation website. Or find out more about the British boxers competing in Bridgetown.