Graham looks forward to living Olympic boxing dream

"I would have the country on my head to carry like a soldier going away to defend," is what American Boxing Confederation's (AMBC) women's heavyweight champion of the Caribbean, Jasmine Graham, is looking forward to doing, after qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games.

The 25-year-old Graham has prioritised becoming the first Jamaican woman to box at the Olympic Games and told STAR Sports in an interview that that is one of her dreams.

"I would feel elated for such an opportunity to be bestowed on me. Regardless of whether you are in combat or track and field, you want to go and represent your country on such a large scale, especially to hear the national anthem singing, you feel such pride. It's more than an accolade any athlete would want," Graham said.

She is currently preparing herself to battle for a boxing spot in Paris, and said she is fine-tuning some of her skill set to achieve her objective.

"I am in the training camp right now. I am training three times per day trying to work on my weak areas. I am sharpening up on some much-needed areas that I saw in my last competition in the Caribbean Boxing Championships in Roseau, Dominica, almost two years ago, even though I won and received the best novice woman heavyweight boxer for the tournament.

"Fitness was one of my weaknesses. It was a short fight, so I didn't get to fully establish what I was capable of. However, the turnout was good, but I am always looking to improve it, and there is always room for improvement," she added.

The cost of the sport and travelling across the country to get much-needed training is one obstacle, Graham stated, that can be an issue for her.

According to Graham, she expects a successful showing at the Olympic Games, should she qualify.

"My only expectation is to bring home the gold medal. I plan to compete to the best of my ability and execute the game plan, even though they always say that everyone has a plan until they get hit. At the end of the day, I calculate very well, especially in the ring, so I am expecting big things," a confident Graham said.

Graham is expected to participate in an upcoming boxing tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, which will determine her Olympic Games fate.

"I am hoping to make that trip. It's the best of the best who end up in the Olympic ranks, so I will have to do well and win. I hope that some windows are opened for me," she said.