Marissa Williamson Pohlman

Marissa’s Accomplishments: 

Marissa Williamson Pohlman is a young First Nations boxer from Australia that has competed both nationally and internationally, collating an impressive list of achievements under her belt. Within only 4 years of her boxing career so far, she has achieved many milestones including:

  • 2019: 64kg State Boxing Champion

  • 2019: 64kg National Boxing Champion

  • 2019: NAIDOC Sportsperson of The Year

  • 2021: Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship Holder - Tier 1

  • 2022: Emerging Athlete Award MVF

  • 2023: VIS Scholarship Holder

  • 2023: Combat Australia Categorised Athlete

Her Story:

While her introduction to boxing began as an outlet to keep her away from detention after a tough childhood of foster care and homelessness, she quickly fell in love with the sport and turned it into her career at the age of 17. When asked about what the most pivotal moment in her career has been so far, she emphasised that it was being awarded the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship as it provided her with the financial backing to chase after her dreams.

Outside of boxing, Marissa works as a Heritage Policy Officer at the Department of Premier and Cabinet - Victoria, providing a First Nations perspective into policy making. As a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, she is deeply passionate about caring for the Country and its restoration. She is committed to promoting community led and endorsed land management from policy to practice.

When asked about what motivates her to keep going in difficult times and to maintain a balance between working 38 hours a week and training 10 times a week, she highlighted that she seeks her greatest inspiration from her coach Kel Bryant OAM. Bryant runs a not-for-profit boxing gym that is aimed at developing national boxing champions who can go on to represent Australia on the world stage. Apart from Bryant, she also credits her difficult childhood and the discrimination she has faced as her fuel to persevere and defy all odds. 

Marissa highlighted that in her 5 year plan, she hopes to continue travelling the world through her boxing and creating her mark on the world stage. Being so early in her boxing career, she is determined to qualify and represent Australia in the upcoming Olympics and Commonwealth Games. In particular, she hopes to be able to box on her home turf in front of her friends and family in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. 

Amazed by Marissa’s inspiring journey, we are launching an appeal to help raise as much funds as possible to sponsor Marissa in being able to compete nationally and internationally, and achieve her goals.