Leroy Brown, STAR Writer

Bruising Gym founder and head coach Carl Grant was praised for his foresight in setting up the gym, and congratulated for the work he is doing in the Stony Hill by Custos of St Andrew Donna Parchment-Brown at the gym's seventh anniversary celebrations at the Stony Hill Primary and Junior School last Saturday.

Parchment-Brown said it was noteworthy that Grant was taking time to nurture and train his boxers, who, she noted, were doing well both locally and overseas. She urged him to continue doing so.

She also presented Grant with his AIBA 3-Star Certificate, for which he qualified last year. This is the highest qualification in amateur boxing and is awarded by the International Boxing Association after the recipient receives special training and passes the relevant examinations. Grant is the only Jamaican currently holding this certificate.

Grant told STAR Sports that he was encouraged by Parchment-Brown, and her words provided him with the incentive he needed to continue working with the young people in the area.

At the presentation ceremony, boxers Felice Groves, Kestna Davis, Michael Gardener, and Omar Campbell were awarded plaques for being gym members who have been selected to represent Jamaica in international competition.

Sakima Mullings and Richard Holmes were recognised for being outstanding graduates of the gym's amateur programme.

Three individuals who the gym said had made substantial contributions to its growth, and to boxing in Jamaica, were also honoured. They were William Tavares-Finson, who was president of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control when the gym was founded; Leroy Brown, also a former president and now general secretary of the board; and Robert Forbes, owner of the Olympia Crown Hotel.