For Belle Spicer, boxing has been a part of her life since she was 10. What began as a way to build confidence and learn self-defence has grown into a journey that has taken the 17-year-old from the Mornington Peninsula to the international stage.
Belle had her first amateur bout at 13 and quickly began making her mark in the sport. She won her first Australian title in 2023, followed by further national and international success, including gold at the 2024 German International Junior Open and the 2025 Australian Under 17 Championships. In 2025 and 2026, she was named Female Fighter of the Tournament.
This year, Belle continued her progression through the national pathway, winning gold at the Australian Youth Selection Event and the Australian U19 Championships, followed by a top 10 placing at the World Boxing Youth Futures Cup that earned her selection to represent Australia at this month’s Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games is a significant milestone in Belle’s career and a step closer to a dream she has been working towards for years. Having the opportunity to represent Australia on the biggest stage in youth sport is something she is incredibly proud of. It reflects years of dedication, early mornings, challenging training sessions and the support of the people around her.
Boxing has taught Belle far more than what happens inside the ring. Discipline, resilience, determination and humility are values she carries into all areas of her life. She credits the people around her, including her coaches, family and teammates, for helping her continue to develop as both an athlete and a person.
While the Youth Olympic Games is an exciting milestone, Belle’s ambitions extend well beyond Dakar. She hopes to continue representing Australia at international competitions, win medals at world championship level and ultimately compete at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
Proud to call the Peninsula home, Belle hopes her journey can inspire other young people to back themselves, work hard and pursue opportunities that may initially seem out of reach. For her, this is only the beginning.
