Tyson boxing clever for Olympic success

“It’s a bit of a name to live up to, isn’t it,” says the 21-year-old from Antigua. Having earned his place as Antigua’s representative in the men’s kite at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Tyson’s life is pretty cool already.  

Earning a place at the Games is the culmination of a journey that began eight years ago.  

“My dad started kiting when I was seven years old and I started kiting pretty quickly, but just for fun,” says Tyson. 

“Then in 2016 kiteboarding was announced for the Youth Olympic Games, so that became my main focus, to compete in Buenos Aires in Argentina.” 

It was around this time that the kiting world was discovering the joys of foiling and the teenaged Tyson became an early adopter. 

“There was talk of it getting in the Olympics, so that became everyone’s dream and I kept going and then eventually it was announced to be in the Paris 2024 Olympics which was super exciting. 

“Ever since, that’s been my main aim. I carried on with school in Antigua until I was 18 and then went into full-on training. For the past two years I’ve really been fully dedicated to this, travelling the world mainly spending my time in Europe, trying to do as many competitions as possible.” 

Being a lone ranger, the only competitor from a small island, certainly has its disadvantages compared with the well-funded squads from larger sailing nations. But Tyson finds it easy to focus on the positives of his privileged position. 

“To be representing Antigua around the world is such a great feeling. Back home I get a lot of praise and support for what I’m doing, and I’m so proud to be from Antigua.  

“It’s the best country in the world and I wouldn’t want to represent anybody else. The weather is beautiful all the time for kiting. It’s amazing. 

“You have the crystal-clear water, the perfect trade winds all around the year. Great vibe. Great people. And a really nice lifestyle to be brought up in and live in.” 

Tyson expects to be one of only a few representing Antigua at the Games. 

“We’ll have some track athletes, hopefully some swimmers, maybe a boxer and that’s about it, so probably about five of us in total. The dream is to win a medal, because Antigua has never won an Olympic medal in any sport. It would be great to be the first.  

“I’m aiming as high as possible from now until then. I’ll be doing everything within my power to make that as likely as possible. With the way our medal series format works, just getting into that top 10 gives you a huge advantage to climb even higher.” 

One of the other advantages of coming from a small nation is Tyson has always found it easy to train with riders from other countries. 

“I think I’m naturally quite good at making friends with people and getting to join in with training groups. But obviously it’s very difficult when you’re training with people from your same country and you know only one of you is going to go to the Games.  

“Normally kiting is such a friendly sport. You want to go and have fun with your friends but when it starts to get competitive like this, inevitably some friendships slowly start breaking apart, and you start not communicating as much. 

“But I’m quite confident that after this qualifier when everyone’s had their spot, everyone’s given their best to this process, I think everyone will mostly come back together and get back to those good friendships that we have made on the kite circuit.” 

Campaigning for the Games is, and will continue to be, intense until the Olympic medal race is run in August. Tyson admits he’s looking forward to a break from competition after Marseille.  

“I need to make some money, so I can spend it again on the next campaign,” he smiles.  

“Doing a campaign is quite a selfish thing to do though. You’re always asking for things, you need to ask for money, you need to ask for help and everything’s about you. So I feel like I’m ready for a different way of living for a while. Time for me to give something back and do some other things.” 

One of those ‘other things’ is putting together a kite school back home in Antigua. 

“I’d like to teach the local kids in Antigua for free. I want to try and raise some money to get some equipment and then offer the opportunity to anyone who wants to give it a go but wouldn’t be able to afford it on their own. 

“Who knows? Hopefully, we’ll find some hidden talent and get some other Antiguans out on the water and competing at a high level.”