Linn Sandström: Against All Odds

Linn Sandström: Against All Odds

It’s difficult to fully comprehend just how far Linn Sandström has come, not only in her inspirational boxing career but in life itself.

Born in Brazil, within a matter of days, she was in Sweden courtesy of her adopted parents. Sandström became an international table tennis star during her time in Sweden. She then moved to Australia and found boxing.

But success in her second sport was initially hard to find. The early amateur fights ended in despair and defeat before Sandström found some semblance of life in her boxing career. But when she turned professional in 2020, that first year only brought one victory in four fights. The signs were not good.

But Sandström hasn’t lost since 2021. A hotly disputed loss to Natalie Hills was her last reversal. Eight fights since have brought seven wins and numerous sanctioning body baubles. Only a technical draw in 2023 slightly spoils her resume. From the brink, Sandström kept winning and earned a world ranking.

But despite the upward trajectory, there have still been setbacks. A ruptured Achilles tendon last year when a shot at a world title was imminent could easily have finished a lesser fighter. A medical diagnosis of potentially being out for the best part of a year was dismissed by a fighter who wanted to be back much sooner. And she was. Just nine months after an injury that could have finished her, Sandström finally gets her dream world title opportunity.

Sandström will face the unbeaten WBA super-flyweight champion Clara Lescurat on Wednesday in Sydney on the latest No Limits card. The Argentinian hasn’t lost in ten professional fights and will start the betting favourite. But you sense Sandström will thrive as the underdog. She has played that role for much of her life. And usually overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds. Lescurat could have a far tougher night at the office than the odds may suggest.

The challenger has had her best camp to date. She promises to shock the world. In many ways, she already has. Don’t be surprised if she does so again.