Champion Toowoomba runner preparing for new challenge
WHEN it comes to athletic achievements, Tressa Lindenberg has nothing left to prove.
But that steely drive that has taken her to the top of the Australian endurance running tree tells you she's always up for a challenge.
On March 8, Lindenberg will tackle her "biggest" sporting challenge yet when she steps into the ring at Rumours International for her boxing debut.
Lindenberg will not be jousting for a world title or huge purse against her yet to-be-named rival, but a cause close to her heart is set to benefit on the night.
Lindenberg's charity stoush will be about raising money for the Toowoomba Early Childhood Development Program at Rangeville State School.
The Education Queensland facility provides programs and support for children from six weeks to five years of age who have a suspected and/or diagnosed disability or significant developmental delays.
It is a cause Lindenberg knows plenty about after her prematurely born son Charlie benefited from it in the early years of his continuing battle against cerebral palsy.
"This will be a huge leap out of my comfort zone but I'm prepared to get in the ring and have a go for a cause that helps achieve such wonderful outcomes," Lindenberg said.
Lindenberg is the sister of Toowoomba boxing trainer and promoter Brendon Smith while her nephew Brayd Smith will fight on the March 8 card.
Lindenberg is also an eight (consecutive) time winner of the Queen of The Range, a former national 100km champion and dual Australian representative.
"People think that having grown up in a boxing family, it would be second nature to me - but it's not," Lindenberg said.
"But since I've been injured, I've been doing some cross-training, including boxercise and it is a sport so now I'm preparing to take the next step."
