For the first time in Fiji’s history, an all-women’s boxing team from Victoria, Australia, has taken part in the Fiji Amateur Boxing competition focused on Junior, Youth, and Women categories at the Vashist Muni Memorial Primary School Hall in Navua.
The team consists of eight boxers, ranging from juniors to elite fighters, who are competing against local female boxers from the Navua area. Fiji’s National Boxing Coach, Cam Todd, expressed his enthusiasm for this significant event. He stated, “I think it’s the first time maybe in Fiji history we’ve got a women’s only team coming from Victoria, Australia. They brought eight boxers, some juniors, some youths, and a couple of elites, all boxing our local girls here.”
This event also functions as a fundraiser for the local boxing club organizing the matches. Todd shared, “We wanted to help raise some money for their club. A lot of the girls boxing today from Fiji are from this region, so they’ll get a lot of good home support.”
The tournament features a total of 25 bouts, including eight international matches. Todd mentioned, “There’s a total of 25 fights, but there’ll be eight internationals, and they’ll box again with different opponents from Fiji tomorrow.” His focus remains on advancing women’s boxing in Fiji. He added, “The main aim for me is developing women’s boxing. I need to get more women of all ages boxing, amateur boxing.”
Todd’s initiative includes collaborating with friends from Australia and Victoria Boxing to bring their state team for development. He is impressed by the burgeoning talent in Fiji, stating, “Every tournament I go to, I make sure I’m at everyone. I’m making notes and looking at all the young boxers from nine years old upwards. Fiji has massive talent in amateur boxing. They love it.”
Young boxers from Fiji are already making headlines. He remarked, “We’ve had boys, and we’ve got some girls fighting who are like 9 to 10 years old. They would smash the boys and girls back in New Zealand.” Todd now considers Fiji his home, stating, “Actually, not home, because this is my home now.”
The competition will continue today at 1 PM, and Todd encouraged local support: “Come along and support your local boxers. It’ll be a great day of boxing.”
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