The year 2024 has proven to be highly rewarding for the Fiji Amateur Boxing community, particularly for national coach Cam Todd. Since taking on the role in May of last year, Todd has significantly contributed to the advancement of the sport in Fiji.
His efforts have spanned from the 2023 IBA Men’s World Amateur Boxing Championship in Tashkent to the upcoming Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. Under his guidance, the Fiji Amateur Boxing Association has worked diligently to provide boxers with more exposure through both domestic and international competitions.
While the management focused on streamlining operations, Todd took the initiative to train the athletes and liaised with other countries to enhance their international experience within Fiji. This collaborative effort has allowed for substantial growth this year.
“I was thrilled to organize 10 international competitions in Fiji for our boxers. We welcomed teams from Australia and New Zealand, which was a fantastic opportunity,” Todd noted.
Among his many accomplishments, Todd highlighted the success of his junior youth teams at the June 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships held in Tahiti. They made history by bringing home five gold medals, five silver, and one bronze from a contingent of 11 boxers. This marks a remarkable improvement from the previous year, where Fiji’s performance yielded only two bronzes.
Todd is also making strides towards increasing female participation in boxing, noting that the number of women participating has grown from just two to between 15 and 20, ranging from ages ten and up.
Looking ahead, Todd is optimistic about the upcoming 2025 season and is already planning overseas competitions to further bolster the teams.
This revitalization of the boxing program in Fiji is a testament to Todd’s leadership and commitment to not only enhance the skills of the athletes but also to create a more inclusive environment within the sport, especially for women. With these initiatives underway, the future appears bright for boxing in Fiji.
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