Like many teens his age, Beau McCarroll is into sports, but this 17-year-old is dreaming above his weight, of the Olympics, reports ELIZABETH KOVACS.

This month Banks teenager Beau McCarroll takes his first step to the Olympics with his selection to represent Australia in Germany at the Brandenburg Cup, an amateur boxing competition held annually in Frankfurt.

From his first boxing match at age 10, Beau said he’d always had a goal of going to the Olympics. 

Taking inspiration from fellow Canberran boxer and 2024 Olympian, Monique Suraci, Beau trains twice a day, six days a week, leaving Sunday as a rest and recuperation day. 

“In the morning I’ll train by myself and then in the afternoon I’ll be there with other fighters who I train with,” he said. 

Beau splits his time between school and boxing, waking at 6am to train before heading to Erindale College.

“There’s a shower out the back of [the training centre], so I go straight from there to school, and then I’ll go straight from school back to train before going home,” he said. 

Using free periods at school to keep on top of his assessments, family members call Beau “extremely dedicated” and someone with his “head in the game”. 

He calls Stockade Training Centre in Fyshwick his home-away-from-home and is trained by Garry Hamilton and Monique Suraci. 

Selected to join Erindale College’s Talented Sport Program, now in Year 12, Beau also studies maths, English, metalwork, sport and development, and is getting his Cert III in Fitness. 

In 2024, Beau became the ACT youth 60-kilogram champ and won the NSW King of the Ring championship. 

In Germany he will face competitors from 16 other countries, representing Australia in the 65-kilogram weight class. 

Seen as a key stepping stone toward world championships and the Olympics, this will be Beau’s first trip overseas to compete in a boxing tournament.

Beau said it was important not to get too carried away. 

“I try not to think about [the future] and take it one fight at a time,” he said. 

“I’ve had times where I’ve thought ahead, thinking ‘if I win, I go on to the next day’ and I get caught thinking about two/three days ahead and end up missing the moment. 

“Ever since then, I’ve realised that I’ve got to take each fight one at a time and figure it out after. 

“You can’t really have too many thoughts, otherwise it slows your reactions.” 

Beau said his past 22 fights had taught him more than just physical strength. 

A pivotal moment came recently in Adelaide when he beat a two-time Australian champion who had been the competition favourite. 

There was a big theme of camaraderie between the fighters. 

“It’s easy to talk to people,” he said. “At the end of the day, I talk to everyone afterwards and I’ve never had any bad experiences with anyone, whether I’ve won or not.” 

Despite appearing violent, Beau said boxing was a very respectful sport.

“You may not like the person, but you respect them for getting in the ring as well,” he said.

Beau had two months to prepare for Germany after his fight in Adelaide where he was pulled aside and told to “make sure his passport was ready”.

“I’m boxing for my family, people that support me, and I’m also boxing for myself,” he said.

Although Beau’s family and coaches won’t be with him in Germany, his support network will be cheering him on from Canberra as he takes his first big steps towards the Olympics.