Cleary's boxer Jaya Kalsi will fight at 54kg for Team GB at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, 31 October to 13 November, after a world bronze in March.

A Warwick-based boxer from a Leamington club will fight for Great Britain at the Youth Olympic Games. Jaya Kalsi of Cleary’s has been added to Team GB’s squad for Dakar 2026, England Boxing announced on 1 October.

She will box in the 54kg category. The Games run from 31 October to 13 November in Senegal.

A late call-up

Team GB’s boxing team for Dakar was first named in June, with two boxers: Lily Bassett and Michael Maughan. They were confirmed in the British Olympic Association’s 15-strong Team GB squad in September, according to England Boxing.

Kalsi’s selection makes the boxing team three. She told England Boxing she heard the news the day before her birthday.

“I’m over the moon; it’s a dream come true to be representing GB and it’s a massive achievement,” she said. “My aim is to get Youth Olympic gold out there.”

She added that she would like to go on to the Olympics in 2028 or 2032.

How she got there

Her selection follows a run of international results with England, all recorded by England Boxing:

  • December 2025: silver at the U17 European Championships in Germany
  • March 2026: bronze at the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, after four bouts, according to England Boxing’s report from Thailand. England Boxing said competing there made her eligible for Dakar.
  • August 2026: a place in England’s 16-strong squad for the U19 European Championships in Loznica, Serbia, per the squad announcement

A strong year for Cleary’s

Kalsi is not the only Cleary’s boxer at that level. Her clubmate Serena Mali was picked at 51kg for both the Futures Cup squad and the U19 European squad. Two of the four girls in England’s six-strong Futures Cup team came from the one Leamington gym.

The Games

England Boxing says Dakar 2026 is the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil. Around 2,700 athletes, all aged between 14 and 18, are expected to take part.

What it means for you

  • Following her: the Games run from 31 October to 13 November. England Boxing and Team GB post results on their own sites.
  • Getting into boxing locally: Cleary’s is listed in Warwick District Council’s directory of sports clubs, and England Boxing’s club finder lists affiliated clubs near you.

We will report how she gets on.