Boxers stood toe to toe on Thursday 9th October as Royal Air Force Coningsby hosted a night of intense and demanding boxing.
Held in 29 Squadron’s hangar, the boxing night consisted of six bouts between the Royal Air Force and the Army. The tournament was organised by Flight Lieutenant Mark Kaberry and a team of dedicated volunteers.
There was no shortage of physical fitness and determination on display as the audience was treated to some quality rounds.
Group Captain Paul O’Grady is the Station Commander at RAF Coningsby: “There’s a direct correlation between sport and our world class operational output as sport encourages and develops competition, courage, camaraderie, commitment, team work and mental and physical stamina which is essential for our personnel; and we’ve seen plenty of that with the skilful, gritty and professional performances we’ve witnessed this evening. But the power of sport also brings Station personnel together at events such as this to help engender a fantastic esprit de corps and unity which is central to life in the RAF.”
Atmosphere is everything at sporting events, and the military and civilian audience did not disappoint. Boxers were welcomed to the ring with enthusiastic cheers and the victors were applauded at the end of each bout. Judges awarded points for the number of quality blows landed on target, domination of the bout by technical and tactical superiority and competitiveness.
It was a good night for the RAF and for RAF Coningsby in particular. Team Blue won four of the six bouts, with RAF Coningsby’s AS1 Alex Masterman taking home the best boxer award, and the award for best bout.
Group Captain Paul O’Grady concluded: “What an absolutely tremendous evening! Flt Lt Kaberry and the whole team have done an incredible amount of work to plan, organise and execute this event for 300 guests – I am incredibly grateful to the whole team. So a personal thanks to all of the boxing competitors for putting on such a competitive, exciting and inspiring show for the Station.”
