Olympic beauty secrets: Why Mary Spencer’s tough-as-nails hairstyle works both in and out of the boxing ring

Photography by Malina Corpadean
Photography by Malina Corpadean

Let’s just view Canadian boxer Mary Spencer’s defeat yesterday at the gloves of China’s Li Jinzi as another character building experience. Her career might have its share of near-misses (a wildcard invite secured Spencer a place on the Canadian Olympic team and a bye into the quarter-finals almost guaranteed her a bronze medal) but this loss has certainly left Spencer hungrier than ever for competition—she has already stated plans to try again for the gold in 2016. To ease the pressures of training Spencer has been known to visit hairstylist Tony Gereige of Saci Salon in her hometown of Windsor, Ontario, an experience she describes as “my getaway from my everyday boxing in the gym.” According to Gereige himself, “Mary’s hair is as tough as she is.”

What’s a day at the salon like for an Olympic boxer?
Mary is obviously on a tight schedule and she will call or Facebook me to get in like, yesterday. When she is in the salon I give her a style that is not only flattering and stylish but also very low maintenance, as well as a salon pampering session. Competitive athletes still want to look and feel great but want very low maintenance because of extensive hours of training. I have trained in kick-boxing and am fully aware of the lifestyle.

Is it hard to cut a boxer’s hair? What if they get angry?
The most challenging thing is giving Mary a stylish, low-maintenance do. [She] isn’t afraid and pretty much leaves it to me, I guess that’s one less thing Mary has to think about. She just sits back and enjoys the experience.

More Beauty & Grooming