Commonwealth Games boxer Megan Gordon was thrilled she could talk about her selection yesterday – because keeping it quiet was agonising.
Gordon, from Rothes, found out on Tuesday she would be going to the Gold Coast in April as one of two female boxers for Team Scotland.
Her close family knew but she was desperate to spill the good news before it was confirmed publicly yesterday.
Elgin Boxing Club’s Gordon will join Vicky Glover as one of two female fighters for Scotland Down Under. She has also had to turn down a dental nurse apprenticeship as it coincided with the games.
Donald Campbell, Elgin’s honorary president, nearly let the cat out of the bag when Gordon went to the club this week and the 18-year-old is relieved to be able to share the news.
She said: “I felt like it wasn’t really happening until yesterday when I was able to tell people, so it’s just starting to sink in.
“I went to the club and everyone was asking how I was. It was hard not to say anything.
“Team Scotland had obviously been in touch with Donald to let him know. He came running through to give me a hug and people were wondering what was going on.
“I’m just glad it was only a few days. I had to keep the Youth Games quiet for nearly three weeks.”
Gordon was crowned Scottish youth champion last year and claimed bronze at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.
She will compete in the 45 to 48kg category and is eager to see what the competition has in store.
Gordon said: “I’ve only stepped up to senior this year and normally box at 51kg, so it’ll be good to see who else is in there.
“I see each opponent, no matter what age they are, as the same. I’m used to sparring with seniors and guys, so I’m not really worried about not having experience.”
Her dad, Paul, is head coach at Elgin and has worked with his daughter for six years. She will head off to pre-tournament training camps in Ukraine and Australia before the games.