Shannon Courtenay and Anthony Joshua have more in common than you might immediately think and the Haringey Box Cup Under-57kg women’s category gold medallist knows she can tap into the Commonwealth heavyweight’s fountain of knowledge at Finchley ABC.

Both are from Watford and whilst Joshua cut his teeth at Finchley, 21-year-old Courtenay still trains at the gym as she prepares to start her second season in the sport ahead of the National Championships next weekend.

A remarkable debut season for Courtenay ended with victory at the Haringey Box Cup whilst Joshua’s 97-second Commonweath title destruction of Gary Cornish at the O2 Arena a fortnight ago was the high water mark of another year of continued progress for the Olympic gold medallist.

Courtenay was in the crowd that night and saw Joshua a few days later at Finchley when – as the 25-year-old often does – he returned to his roots.

“I’ve spoken to him quite a few times,” she said. “He’s a Watford boy anyway so we know the same people and he comes in with his belts.

“He’s a good person for me to talk to because he gets my head straight and gives me great words of advice and he’s a great person to draw on.

“When he comes down he is not just sitting there taking it easy. He gets involved, helps the coaches where he can and passes on the benefits of his experience. He is a great person to have around.”

Like Joshua, Courtenay’s own star in the ring is rising.

After going to the Haringey Box Cup as a spectator in 2014 she launched herself into the sport and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now, though, she admits there is more expectation on her ahead of the National Championships – both externally and internally – which begin next weekend.

“I’ve done so well in my first season there will be pressure on me going into this season,” admitted Courtenay. “People will expect something from me.

“But I like pressure, it drives me on to do better and to prove to people what I can do.”

It has been a quick turnaround for Courtenay, who took a little over two weeks off at the end of last season to relax and go on holiday with her friends before the grind began again.

A quick look at her Twitter page will tell you she trains almost constantly and such was her commitment to improving in her second season that she refused to switch off during the summer.

“I couldn’t wait to have some time off,” she said. “I still went running whilst I was away on holiday because otherwise I would have felt guilty.”

Today, Courtenay will weigh in ahead of next Friday’s (Friday, October 2) first round.

Semi-finals and London finals follow before the winners progress to the National Finals. The tournament is a precursor to the prestigious ABA Championships and Courtenay is already raring to go.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I’ve had a couple of setbacks with little injuries but I’m feeling confident again, strong, sharp and ready to go. I just want to get back out there.”

Shannon is sponsored by FMS Recovery, who she would like to thank for their support in her success.