*** UPDATED Biography. *** Gemma Jane Brookes (The English Rose) is a British Female Amateur Boxer in the Super Middleweight - Light Heavyweight Division who is registered and carded with the ABAE. She was due to turn pro in 2014 but gained a place on the GB Boxing 75kg development course that scouts and develops amateur boxers to Olympic standard. Gemma is the daughter of Malcolm Brookes a European Karate Champion in the 1960s. She is based and trains at The Engine Shed Gym in Stoke Golding Leicestershire and is trained by Mark Fowler a former champion amateur boxer turned coach. Although Gemma trains with Mark she is carded with Atherstone ABC and formerly trained at Tamworth ABC. Now that women are able to compete in this sport on a level playing field, with 2012 being the first time Womens Boxing has been included in the Olympic Games, she is in training to go as far as she can in the sport, whilst at the same time trying to find a husband. She is a natural heavyweight, renouned as a hard puncher, and fights with a brawling style that suits not only her short height but also the new Olympic scoring system that favours a more aggressive type of fighter like Gemma. Looks wise Gemma is often compared to Katy Perry, Amy Lee (Evanescence) and Elizabeth Taylor, and her feminity and glamourous image often surprises people as she does not look like how people would expect a boxer to look. She is a huge fan of The Klitschko Brothers, and supports The Klitschko Brothers Foundation. Gemma prides herself on being a positive role model for sport, and likes to set positive examples to youngsters on how a boxer and a good person should behave. She is well known for her intelligent, outspoken and honest thoughts, and always makes time for anyone who wishes to speak with her. Gemma is passionate about helping others less fortunate than herself, and in the year 2000 she received a grant from The Princes Trust which helped change her life and lift her out of poverty. Gemma is a strong supporter for the charity Cardiac Risk In The Young, and is campaigning for a change in UK law regarding screening for heart defects of children involved in sport. Gemma has personal experience with this cause from the unexpected death of her brother Matthew Brookes who died on her 8th Birthday from a heart attack caused by an undiagnosed (and treatable) heart defect. As a teenager Gemma was a well respected sprinter competing at County & Championship Level Athletics in the 100 Metres, 200 Metres & Relay, and achieved Bronze, Silver & Gold AAA Awards in 100 Metres, High Jump, Triple Jump, Long Jump, and is most proud of her 5* AAA Pentathlete & Decathlon awards. Gemma managed to accomplish this whilst being bullied and beaten on a daily basis at school, and she is a strong campaigner for Bullying UK an anti bullying charity. A crashing fall from a young horse which resulted in a serious back injury and a dislocated knee ended her promising track and field athletic career. Gemma has come back to sport after a 10 year absence, taken up a brand new sport (Boxing) and has lost 6 stone through diet and exercise in the process to become fit enough to fight, and made it onto a GB boxing course within 12 months of taking up the sport. Horses have always been a huge passion for Gemma, and she is a Level 2 City & Guilds Qualified Blacksmith who received the Moreton Morrell (Warwickshire College) award for The Best Yard Duties Student in 2008 as a mature student & achieved a Distinction * (100%) for the Btec 1st Diploma in Horse Care. This was achieved by gaining Distinctions in Practical Horsemanship, Equine Biology & Physiology, Equine Behaviour & Welfare, & Equine Industries & Organisations. She is also the founder of Shantaine Horse stud and has exported her horses to Canada, The USA, Europe and Australia, as well as producing several UK graded show Champions. She is currently working on a special line of exotic coloured British Sport Horses bred from her Shantaine bloodlines. Out of the ring Gemma is a keen painter, musician, and equestrienne and is a single mother to a beautiful little girl called Cerys. Her ring songs are Emile Sandes My Kind Of Love and Katy Perrys Roar.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:20:16 +0000
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