Thomas Stalker

Sport: Boxing

Nation: Great Britain

DOB: June 30, 1984

Career Highlights: Stalker was the first boxer from Great Britain to qualify for the Olympics after beating Russia’s Alexander Solyannikov in the round of 16 at the world championships in October. After the first round ended in a 3-3 tie, Stalker took control and cruised to a 17-9 victory. He later defeated India's Manoj Kumar before falling to Ukranian Denys Berinchyk in the semifinals. Stalker just missed out on going to the Beijing Games because British fighter Frankie Gavin qualified before him at his weight class, but he has used it as fuel for his 2012 run to the Olympics. Stalker, who didn't start boxing until he was 18 years old, took home five medals in top competitions from 2009 through 2011. He won bronze at the last two world championships along with earning silver at both the 2010 European Elite Men's Championships and last year's European Confederation Boxing Championships. Stalker was able to capture gold in 2010 at the Commonwealth Games, dominating his five matches by a combined score of 40-11. Stalker is a strong fighter with lots of power and is clearly among the medal favorites, particularly considering the Liverpool native will be backed by big fan support in his home country.

Olympic History: None