On January 10th to the 14th I went to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to attend the Canadian Nationals. I had a total of 6 women in my weight class. My first bout was against Noemie Tremblay from Nova Scotia. She was a bit taller than me so I had to get inside on her for the most part. I ended the bout with a winning score of 24-6. My second bout was against Bonnie Cook from Ontario. She was shorter than my last opponent, so I needed to use my reach with this one. I focused mostly on jabbing with a hard right hand following. I ended this bout with a winning score of 18-8.  I was now in the finals and my next match  was against Myriam Da Silva from Quebec. I meet with her last year and ended up losing to her in the semi-finals so I was quite thrilled to meet her in the finals this year. I was determined and focused on the gold and nothing was going to get in my way. First round began, we were a bit hesitant and then punches started throwing. Bell rang and as I sat in my corner I was told that I was down one point. I kept my focus on what I wanted and I didn't get worried or upset that I wasn't in the lead. Round two, there was a bit more action in this round and I started using my reach more with her. Bell rang and I was up one point. Round three, I kept to my game and continued through this round. Bell rang, we were tied 11-11. Last and final round, I still didn't let this get to me and was not frustrated or worried about the points, I kept to my game again in the beginning. I then heard my corner say "NOW" which meant it's the last 20 seconds, I felt something come over me, as I wanted this win so bad, I used every last bit of energy that I had by throwing combo's after combo's. At this point I was waiting for the bell. I then heard "NOW" again and thought oh wow now it's the last 20 seconds. I pushed myself and was able to do everything that I just did once again, I ended this bout with a winning score of 20-16. And that's when I became the Canadian Champion and won Gold. I waited in the ring after they announced the winner to recieve my medal. It was a moment that I'll never forget. As I stepped out of the ring and started walking down the hall, the ring annoucer was calling out "Amber Groome" I was informed that now I won the Outstanding female athlete of Canada boxing 2012.  I couldn't believe it, I was so surprised and so thankful.

      Next up, I am going to train with an Olympic coach, Charlie Stewart and world Champion  Mary Spencer to get ready for the Box offs held in Quebec. I will win the Box offs to qualify for the worlds in China this May. . . . . . keep you posted - Amber

Facebook Article by Boxing Alberta Coach Brad Hortie

Re - Canadian National Champion (Sydney, NS Jan 10-14th, 2012)

Brad Hortie

Amber Groome had pulled ahead of her most formiddable foe by a single point. Now going into the fourth, and final stanza.Following her corners instruction to the letter, and having understood that she could not protect the one point, lead, with a commonly, and often successfully used "jab and move" strategy, Groome embarked on the final round, and as she did so the scenario began to unfold as a thing of beauty, no different than a beautiful flower going into full bloom. Just as she had been instructed to do by her support staff, Groome used masterful lateral foot movement, and a stinging left jab to keep her opponent at bay. Just as she had been advised, her opponent would eventually penetrate the defense, and in order to prevail Groome would need to stop; set; and fire a hard left-right, then ring off a brilliantly quick 3 to 5 punch combo, and get back on the bycicle, knowing that her opponent would now be in pursuit. Her level of skill, and ability to execute the carefully orchestrated strategy, were like the words on a freshly printed text book. On this day Amber groome was not to be denied, the Boxing gods would smile down upon her. As the verdict was anounced the place went nuts. In the end Amber groome had pulled ahead by a full six points. As this coach walked from the ring, shaking his head in bewildrement at the awe inspiring display that had just been witnessed, he heard the MC reminding the fans to stick around to see who would be the best Male and Female boxer of the week. For a split second this coach, stopped to consider that the best Female just nmght be Amber Groome. This silly thought only lingered for a moment of course. After all how could such a thing be so , for the past six days, media, and camera crews, had been following Mary Spencer, filming and documenting her every move, recording every word that passed her lips, she is a five time world champion......

As I exited the room , I heard a somewhat muffled voice over the Public Adress system Anouncing the name Amber Groome, and I heard the crowd erupt, as though there had been a small explosion in the ring.

Yes it was certain and absolute, not only was Amber Groome the New 69 kg womens champion of Canadas, she had been selected by her colleauges, as the best female boxer of the national tournament.

A short while later in the dressing room, the coach watched as Amber removed her right boxing boot. A piece of skin, probably twice the size of a loonie flapped open like the hatch on the belly of a cargo plane. It exposed a large gaping area of raw flesh so red that it looked as though it might be ready to bleed. She looked up and smiled as she pulled off the chunk of skin, "check this out coach" she hadnt said a word...not one word..........WOW

 

Amber’s own words:

On March 5th I fought for the Alberta Golden Gloves in Edmonton. I fought the Canadian Champ of this year and lost by decision but it was one of my best fights, I felt awesome in the ring and had great energy.

On March 19th I went to Winnipeg for "All Nations Showcase Club Card" and had a match with the Provincial Champ of Manitoba. Went all four rounds, was a little rusty in the first but came out hard the next three. I won the bout and ended up winning the "Best Boxer" of the Night.

On March 27th had another bout in Edmonton at the Shaw Conference Centre at the 2nd Annual Edmonton Fight Fan Expo. My energy didn’t feel the same for this one unfortunately..... I did very well the first round, I used my reach and didn’t let her get in much. I tired to keep to the plan for the rest of the fight but she was very good at cutting me off and getting the points. Ended up losing this bout.

The next few matches I had where the toughest in my career, lost to the California Champ at the Ringside tournament in Kansas then went to Windsor and fought Mary Spencer, 5 time world champion and lost as well. Probably learned more in the last few months than in all my career.

In November I retained my Provincial title and have set a goal to not only to win the Canadian Nationals in January 2012 but to go for the World Championships as well. From November 21st to December 4th I will be training with Mary Spencer and Olympic coach Charlie Stewart in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.