Keleto Takele of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) clinched the gold medal in the 57-60kg division during the Vodafone Ratu Sukuna Bowl boxing finals held at the LICI Court in Suva. Takele secured his victory over his fellow RFMF teammate Rusiate Qalo by points.
Despite the win for the RFMF, it was the Fiji Police Force that dominated the overall boxing competition that night.
Reflecting on his journey, Takele expressed gratitude for his victory, acknowledging the rigorous preparation leading up to the competition. “I thank God for the win, and we didn’t have an easy preparation for this competition,” he shared. Takele, who described the Ratu Sukuna Bowl as a significant sporting event between the RFMF and the Fiji Police, faced various challenges during the month-long training camp.
The boxer talked about the sacrifices made during training, particularly mentioning the difficulties with nutrition and the demanding early morning runs. He dedicated his win to his father and family who came to support him, as well as the army officers who trained alongside him.
Spiritual motivation played a key role in Takele’s resilience throughout his training. “It’s the first year for me to take up boxing and it’s the seventh boxing match that I’ve participated in since joining the Army Boxing Club,” he noted. Takele hails from Navunikabi, Namosi, and initially joined boxing through encouragement from his brother, who is also a boxer and trainer.
He emphasized that boxing promotes values such as discipline, focus, humility, and determination, countering the stereotype that boxers are arrogant. Additionally, Takele encourages young people to take up boxing as a means of self-defense and a way to maintain their fitness.
Takele’s journey highlights not just personal achievement but also the spirit of sportsmanship within the Fiji military and police, and his message serves as an inspiration for the youth in Fiji to engage in healthy and productive activities.
In summary, Keleto Takele’s victory symbolizes hard work and dedication while promoting positive values associated with boxing. His story encourages youth involvement in sports as a path toward self-improvement and discipline.
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