In a historic moment for Fiji, an all-women’s boxing team from Victoria, Australia, has made its debut in the Fiji Amateur Boxing competitions for juniors, youth, and women at the Vashist Muni Memorial Primary School Hall in Navua. This event marks the first time an exclusively female team from Australia has participated in this competition.
The team comprises eight boxers, including juniors, youths, and elite athletes, who are competing against local female boxers from the Navua region. Fiji’s National Boxing Coach, Cam Todd, expressed his enthusiasm for the occasion, highlighting the significance of the all-women’s team.
“This is possibly the first time in Fiji’s history that we have an all-women’s team from Victoria,” Todd stated. He noted that the event is not only about competition but also serves as a fundraiser for the local boxing club that is hosting the matches. “We wanted to help raise some money for their club,” he explained, emphasizing the strong local support for the participating Fijian girls.
The tournament features a total of 25 bouts, including eight international contests. “The international boxers will compete again against different Fijian opponents tomorrow,” Todd confirmed. His primary focus remains on promoting women’s boxing in Fiji, aiming to encourage participation among women of all ages.
Todd mentioned collaborating with friends from Victoria Boxing to facilitate the visit of the state team for mutual development. He is optimistic about the emerging talent in Fiji’s boxing scene. “After every tournament, I take notes on the young boxers starting from age nine. There’s tremendous potential here,” he noted.
He expressed confidence in the capability of young Fijian boxers, stating, “We have young fighters, both boys and girls, as young as 9 to 10 years old who excel against their peers in New Zealand.” With a sense of belonging, Todd declared, “This is my home now.”
The boxing competition continues today at 1 PM, with Todd encouraging local support: “Come along and support your local boxers. It promises to be a fantastic day of boxing.”
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