Iokimi Navuasese has honored the memory of his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider (previously known as Nathan Singh), with a significant victory in boxing. The 15-year-old athlete secured a win by unanimous decision against Garica Bonnaci from Victoria during their match at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva, yesterday.
Hailing from Nasoqo, Naitasiri, Navuasese began boxing at the age of 12 under the guidance of Haider’s father, Gyan Singh, and has strong maternal ties to Taviya in Ovalau, Lomaiviti. “This fight was for my late coach Ubaiyd Haider, and I dedicate this win to him,” he expressed after the match. He acknowledged Haider’s immense contribution to boxing, particularly in mentoring young boxers like him.
Despite concerns about their opponents’ physical fitness and skill, Navuasese relied on his boxing intelligence, stating, “I knew I had gained points in the first and second rounds. By the third, fatigue set in, but the thought of my late coach drove me to finish strong.”
Navuasese has ambitious plans to represent Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He also achieved success earlier this year, claiming a gold medal in the 57kg category during the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships in Tahiti.
The boxing matches at Walu Bay are part of a two-day international competition featuring junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia, concluding today at the Nausori District School ground. National coach Cam Todd announced that a team of boxers from New Zealand would arrive in two weeks, leading up to the Golden Gloves Championship scheduled for December 13-14.
The event saw numerous bouts unfolding, demonstrating the growing talent in the junior and youth boxing scene.
Overall, Navuasese’s victory not only reflects his dedication to the sport but also showcases the unity and resilience of the boxing community, even in the face of loss. His commitment to honoring his coach’s legacy serves as an inspiration to many aspiring athletes.
As the boxing competition continues, it emphasizes the promising future of boxing in Fiji, with young talents ready to take on challenges and represent their country on international stages.
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