Boxer Harry Garside expects people to raise eyebrows when he tells them about his secret weapon to reach his Olympic Games dream. "Ballet," Garside grins.
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"I've always wanted to try it. My dad gave me a funny look when I told him, but it's been unreal so far."
The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games champion has vowed to leave no stone unturned on his quest to make his Olympic debut in Tokyo next year.
Garside has moved into a new weight division after winning the 60 kilogram title last year, adding bulk to his speed and power to join the 63 kilogram category.
But a birthday present from mum Kate has added a new dimension to his training regiment and he hopes it will give him a chance to win an Olympic medal.
The ballet seed was planted after hearing his boxing idol, two-time Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko, used the dance to improve his footwork and balance.
"It's big in eastern Europe so it's in their culture, but it's not in the Australian boxing culture," Garside said.
"I'm absolutely loving it. It's bringing me a down a little bit because I realise how bad I am at it. But it's already improved my footwork, my coordination and my thinking.
"So far it's all been positive. Mum got me a voucher and it gave me the chance to try it.
"If ballet can give me a couple of extra percent with my footwork or strength through my legs ... that would make a massive difference. It could be the difference between winning and losing."
Garside is in Canberra this week for a Boxing Australia camp and to be fitted for his Australian Olympic uniform, should he qualify to be a part of the Tokyo team.
CANBERRA SPORT
He will be based at home in Melbourne for the build up to the Games, and will fight at the world championships next month to ramp up his selection preparation.
The national titles will be in December and fighters then need to win in the Oceania titles to earn their spot. If they fall shot, there will be a world qualifying event in either April or May before the Olympics begin.
"The goal is to qualify early so you can get some time to relax. If you don't get that, it will be a busy six months before the big one," Garside said.
"Coming to the AIS for a day like this is huge, it makes it a bit real that it's coming around quickly. I missed out on the last Olympics in Rio, so the last four years has been a massive grind.
"I've been going to work every day to make sure I make the next Olympics."
Garside, 24, says his Olympic passion started when he watched Grant Hackett win gold at the 2004 Games in Athens.
He wanted to qualify for Rio, but fell short at the selection trials and was forced to watch from home.
"But I remember watching Australia in a gold medal in something and I was so pumped I went to the gym for three hours to train," Garside said.
"I've been waiting for this chance, but I don't want to just make it [to Tokyo]. I want to win that gold medal as well.
"Maybe if I was there in Rio I would have just been going for the [Australian] tracksuit and I might have lost my first fight. Now three years later, I've got more experience and I've grown. Hopefully it's a different story and if one percenters like ballet help me get there, then I'll do them."