After the success of winning gold for Team England in the men’s super-heavyweight final at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games this summer, 25-year-old boxer Delicious Orie has had his Golden Gateway plaque installed at Aston University’s Woodcock Sports Centre.
Speaking on how Aston University played a huge role in his boxing career and helped contribute to his achievement last summer, Delicious Orie said:
“Aston University’s Woodcock Sports Centre means a lot to me. The venue provided all the facilities that I needed to allow me to become a Commonwealth Games champion.”
From his childhood in Russia, to settling in Wolverhampton at the age of seven, Delicious Orie had never considered boxing until he turned 18. It was his admiration for Anthony Joshua’s gold medal win at the 2012 Olympics that ignited his passion for the sport.
In his application for a scholarship at Aston University, where he pursued a degree in economics and management, Delicious highlighted his aspirations in boxing as part of his personal statement: “I’m a striving athlete, very focused on winning the tournaments that I need to win in order to rise through the British amateur boxing rank…with hopes to be competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.”
Reflecting on his journey since writing that personal statement, Delicious added:
“It’s very motivational knowing that I’ve actually got here and achieved it. It was always the plan from the beginning.”
Since Birmingham 2022 concluded, Team England has been installing Golden Gateway plaques at gold medal-winning athletes’ desired venues up and down the country, as a symbol of their remarkable achievements.
Mark Smith, the executive director of business and regional engagement at Aston University, said:
“Naturally we are very proud of our Alumni Delicious for both his academic and sporting achievements whilst at Aston University.
“The whole University team is thrilled that he has chosen our Woodcock Sports Centre as the permanent location for this wonderful accolade.
“It will be a constant reminder to all of what can be achieved with dedication, hard work and focus.
“Delicious is a fantastic ambassador for the University, and we cannot thank him enough for his generosity of spirit, giving many hours of personal time has been to inspire current and future students.”
A spokesperson for Team England said of Delicious:
“Team England is excited to witness the next chapter of his inspiring journey.
“Birmingham 2022 was just the beginning for this rising star.”
