Featured in the Daily Telegraph by Grantlee Kieza 2004
He started boxing in the backyard as a bit of a joke around the time of the Sydney Olympics but three years later uni student James Ronaldson has all but
punched his way to Athens in a stunning display of precision boxing.
Ronaldson, 21 the first person from his family to make it in any sport won the 60kg title at the national championships in Adelaide and is a front runner for the Olympic selection. It has been a magnificent achievement for a kid who hadnt had a fight until after the last Olympics and whose career stated with a call to personal trainer Garry Wasson.
I have done a lot of karate but me and some friends were just mucking around one day in the backyard and thought it would be fun to learn boxing, just for something to do said Ronaldson who is studying business management at the university of western Sydney. I never dreamed at the time it would lead to the Olympics but under Garrys coaching we just kept getting better and better and achieving more success.
Wasson a martial arts instructor had learnt to coach boxers under former Australian Coach Don Abnett and had been around some pretty talented amateurs pugs in Chris Ryan, Robert Medley and Rod Hanns. From their base at the Blue Cattle Dog Gym in St Clair, Wasson and his charge have gone through a campaign of 58 fights with only the Oceania Championships in Tonga between them and a place in Athens
James has blossomed as a boxer over the last 12 months Wasson said I have been able to work one on one with him twice a day.
He has beaten really good boxers such as 1996 Olympian Lee Trautsch, Anthony little, Brendan Wilson and Casey Thompson. NSW coach Billy Hussein who with Jeff Fenech trains such stars as his brothers Hussy and Nedel Hussein and Danny Green described Ronaldson as a great prospect. He boxed beautifully & along with Todd Kidd was one of the outstanding boxers at the National titles.
Featured ST Marys Star 2002
Hell for leather... Chris Ryan, Michael Johnson and James Ronaldson are off to Kostya Tszyu gym in Rockdale for a five weekend training camp.
Three boxers from the Blue Cattle Dog Boxing team in St Clair have been training hard while others have been putting on the kilos. James Ronaldson, Michael Johnston & Chris Ryan aim to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester England.
Their first test will be the NSW Championships, conducted under a round robin format. From there they hope to made the Australian titles in Melbourne. Australian Champion Ronaldson will box at 60kg National silver medallist and two time NSW champion Johnston and
NSW Arafura Champion and PCYC State Champion Ryan will box at 63kg.
Ryan said he rated his chances in the NSW tournament. Theres no one that I cant beat said the 21 year old. I finished last year winning my last 3 bouts Im pretty happy with that.
The three pugilist will go into five consecutive weekend training camps at Kostya Tszyu s Gym. Kostya Tszyu a 3 time world champion will pass on some of his knowledge. Being able to learn from the best in the world will lift our boxers to a higher level physically and mentally said trainer Garry Wasson.
Our boxers have National and International experience and have the ability to go one step further and represent their country said Wasson. Being able to learn from the best in the world will lift our boxers to a higher level physically and mentally said trainer Garry Wasson.
Our boxers have National and International experience and all have the ability to go one step further and represent their country.
Brain Bassett Penrith Press
Instruction in being streetwise
Unfortunately for everyone it is an increasing violent world we live in. No longer can we rely on turning the other cheek. You may have to take a more practical approach to self defence.
Garry Wasson probably better known as a boxing trainer is a qualified Black Belt instructor, who will give personal training in self defence, ensuring students learn what they need to known in a very short space of time.
Garry Wasson has more than 20 years experience in martial arts and holds 3 black belts and a Diploma in sport psychology as well as being a certified fitness trainer. I have developed a dynamic street combat system which is a very effective and comprehensive blend of the most functional elements of martial arts, including kickboxing, karate and boxing, Wasson said.
The training is designed to teach people physical and psychological self defence, how to build self confidence and improve awareness skills.
Excel self defence teaches blocking and evasion techniques against multiple attackers, punches and kicks. Wasson will design a program which improves your health and fitness.
ST Marys Star 2006
If you are ready for a workout that will leave you wanting more instead of being bored, try kickboxing classes with blue cattle dog boxing gym in ST Clair. Not only will you learn some great self defence techniques, but kickboxing also a great way to get into shape.
Classes are run by head instructor Garry Wasson a Professional kickboxing and boxing trainer with over 20 years experince.
With Kickboxing you get a total body workout from head to toe and the trainers also work on developing your overall fitness with fat burning and toning exercises that work.
When you look good you feel good, and knowing you can defend yourself will increase your confidence .
