St. Albert boxer Susan Haas is picking up the pieces after her dream of competing at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games was shattered at nationals.
In the 60-kilogram final Haas lost 8-6 on points to Sandra Bizier of Quebec at the recent senior elite championships in Cape Breton, N.S.
“How close the fight was doesn’t make it less heartbreaking,” Haas said. “It’s really, really difficult when you are working towards something for so long and it’s the focus of so much energy, so much time and so much of your hope and then all of a sudden that is it. It’s difficult to regroup and re-orientate yourself towards something else.”
Entering the fourth and last round, the Cougar Boxing Club puncher was ahead on points through the computer scoring system used by the judges.
“I was up by two and in the last round I guess they thought it was Sandra’s round,” Haas said. “I definitely don’t know how they were seeing that last round. In retrospect I wish I had done something else, but I didn’t think I was losing that round.”
Haas, 26, overcame a slow start to go the distance against the 2011 Pan Am bronze medallist.
“After the first round it was either tied or I was down one. After the second round I was up and the third round I definitely dominated,” she said. “Knowing what I know now, in that last round I should’ve just guarded my lead and been defensive.”
The low point totals symbolized how even the final was.
“It was not especially a busy fight. We were each trying to be very strategic and very smart,” said Haas, last year’s 69-kg national champion. “We both gave each other a fair amount of respect. We were trying to pick our punches.”
The victory enabled the 31-year-old Bizier to successfully defend her 60-kg title.
“She’s got that edge for experience for sure,” Haas said.
Bizier will now prepare for worlds in May in China. A top-eight finish would punch her ticket to London, Eng., when female boxing makes its Olympic debut.
Meanwhile, Haas will attend the Feb. 28 to March 3 boxoff in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec for a spot on the national B team as the first alternate to replace Bizier in case of injury.
“It’s tough to get refocused right now but I’m working on it,” said Haas, the only boxer from western Canada in her weight category at nationals.
The Paul Kane High School alumna is 47-11 in the ring after going 2-1 at nationals. She defeated Melika Ben-Yebber on points and Stephanie Walker 15-7 en route to the final.
