Teen boxer from Tooting eyes up Team GB glory at Youth Olympics

Lily Bassett, a 16-year-old boxer from Tooting in south-west London, has been selected to represent Team GB at the Youth Olympics later this month in Dakar, Senegal, starting 31 October. Bassett earned her fourth consecutive junior European Championship gold in Serbia, beating opponents up to three years older. She is one of 16 British athletes across sports chosen for the Youth Games. Her club coach, Marcus Luther of TM Boxing, told BBC London that her talent could take her “to the top,” comparing her potential to Irish Olympic gold boxer Katie Taylor. Bassett said she believes she can earn a spot in the squad for the LA Olympics in 2028. The Dakar Games are the Youth Olympics’ fourth edition, first held in Singapore in 2010.