Rio Olympics would be grand for Danny Dignum (From Echo)

Rio Olympics would be grand for Danny Dignum

7:00pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in Sport By James Colasanti

DANNY Dignum has set his sights on a dream place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after being called up to the Great British boxing squad.

The former Appleton School boy, who turns 21 this month, admits he was blown away when he got a letter telling him he was in the squad alongside many London 2012 Olympic stars.

The southpaw from Bowers Gifford says he is now training extra hard for when he joins up with the country’s brightest young stars in March at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield – the headquarters of GB Boxing.

He said: “We were meant to find out before the new year, so I was getting a bit worried, but then I got the letter through saying I was in and it was a great feeling because it’s something I’ve always dreamed about.

“The London Olympics was great and watching those boys out there did make me want to be a part of something like that. I think being alongside some of those that were there will make me train that bit harder.

“My first aim now is to make the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year, but of course I would love to represent my country in Rio too, so I’m going to give it my best shot and hopefully I can make that happen.”

Dignum  is a product of the Brentwood ABC and also been trained by former WBU light-welter titleholder Jason Rowland, who also looks after Danny’s twin brother John, who turned pro in January last year.

He will replace London 2012 bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo in the GB squad after the middleweight star made the step up to the professional ranks with Golden Boy Promotions.

He said: “Anthony was ranked number one, and I was ranked number two, so now I will come in for him. It’s great what he has achieved and it is something for me to aim for."