Dunedin-based boxer Bridget Morton has let go of her Olympic dream.
The 28-year-old's brother died just days before she was due to leave for the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifying event in Qianan in March.
Sam Morton (30) had a seizure in his sleep and "was basically found dead two days before I was due to depart'', Morton said.
"It was a shock to our family and I obviously chose to sit out that tournament and stay home.''
The four-time New Zealand champion had still hoped to qualify for the Olympics but could not raise the funds to travel to Kazakhstan this month for the Women's World Boxing Championships.
She was tempted to pay for it herself but decided against making the trip after having a heart-to-heart with her coach, Ryan Henry.
"It essentially came down to money,'' she said.
"This tournament was self-funded and we probably needed about $8000 of our own funding to go ... and I was not prepared to cost the bill up myself.''
With the competition expected to be very tough, Morton faced a daunting challenge to qualify anyway and that helped her reach her decision.
Giving up on her Olympic dream was a wrench but she has made peace with her decision. Her focus has shifted to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia in 2018.
"I think I'm OK with it. I think the timing will be just a bit better, so I don't feel as if I've just given up because I'm refocusing.
"Obviously, it is a bit more financially realistic to go and it also gives me another two years to train and I'd have more of a chance to medal.''
Morton said Henry had been a great friend and wonderful support for her during a tough time.
"He even gifted us some nice Highlanders gear to bury Sam in.''
