Kleinert proves she's a heavy weight contender 27. October 07

Olympic and World Shot Put medallist, Nadine Kleinert is boosting her 2008 Indoor training with a shot of Rocky-style adrenaline, by mixing boxing classes in with her regular Shot Put training,

"It is very exciting, in boxing and in Shot Put you need power and speed. It all goes well together" said the 32-year-old German thrower.

She has under gone one week of intensive training with World class boxing coach Torsten Schmitz, the man responsible for Germany's most successful female boxer - former World Fly and Feather Weight boxing Champion and Playboy favourite, Regina Halmich.

Kleinert has been hooked by the adrenaline-fueled sport, with experts predicting a bright future for the World class thrower in a ring instead of a circle, but Kleinert insists that in the short term, Shot Put will remain her event of choice,

"I want to compete at the Olympics in Shot Put and I will be ready to fight for a medal!"

Kleinert's Coach, Klaus Schneider, confirmed the importance of mixing cross training activities in with an athletes regular work outs,

"Nadine has been doing a little boxing, the speed and strength required for this sport are great for your general fitness and it makes for an interesting break from the routine"

However he was quick to point out that Kleinert was firmly focused on athletics,

"The boxing was more of a promotional tool for our local boxing organisation, Nadine has her sights firmly set first on beijing and then of course on the 2009 World Championships in Berlin."

european-athletics.org