Boxer Lewis Johnstone is delighted to have been asked to carry the flag for Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games opening ceremony – and the 17-year-old is also focused on winning a medal.
The sixth Commonwealth Youth Games take place in the Bahamas from July 18-23 and 40 athletes have been selected to represent Team Scotland at the multi-sport event.
They have been in Nassau over the last few days getting ready for competition and Lewis, who lives in Airdrie, will be fighting in the 81kg category.
He is a multiple Scottish and British age-group champion and has an impressive record of international success.
Lewis said: “I am absolutely delighted to be named the flag bearer for Team Scotland, this is definitely the proudest moment of my sporting career and it is showing that my hard work and training is clearly paying off.
“I am really looking forward to the Games and cannot wait to carry the flag out at the opening ceremony on behalf of the whole team. It will be great to see my family at the opening ceremony and will definitely be a great moment for everyone involved.
“I feel in very good shape heading into this event and I am focused on really going out there and delivering a performance I know I am capable of in the ring.
“When I was young I was always around boxing because my dad was a trainer so I guess it was kind of inevitable that I would start boxing and I began doing so competitively when I was about 10.
“Since then it has been my passion and I have dedicated my time to reaching top level events where I can be exposed
“All of my focus has been on this event for a while now, I know there will be some really good fighters out here, but I trust my own technique and know how to prepare properly.”
Beach volleyball and judo start on Tuesday with the other Team Scotland athletes beginning their quest for medals on Wednesday in aquatics, athletics, boxing, cycling and tennis.
General Team Manager Colin Gregor, the former Scotland Sevens rugby captain, said: “It will be such a proud moment for each and every member of Team Scotland to march out in the opening ceremony alongside their peers from around the Commonwealth.
The excitement is building ahead of the start of the Games and I’m sure the whole team will be right behind our judo and beach volleyball athletes as they take to the competitive arena on Tuesday.
“I wish all our athletes the best of luck over the next six days of competition and I know that they will do themselves and Scotland proud.”
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