Iokimi Navuasese, a talented 15-year-old boxer, has dedicated his recent victory to his late coach Ubaiyd Haider, who passed away earlier this month. Navuasese secured a unanimous decision win against Victoria’s Garcia Bonnaci at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
Starting his boxing journey at the age of 12, Navuasese was initially trained by Haider’s father, Gyan Singh. He expressed deep appreciation for Haider’s influence on his career and stated, “This fight was for my late coach Ubaiyd Haider, and it is dedicated to him. He contributed so much in boxing and training young boxers like me to carry on where he has left off.”
Although rivals from Australia were known for their fitness and skill, Navuasese relied on his boxing intelligence during the match. Despite feeling fatigued by the third round, the memory of his coach motivated him to push through.
Navuasese has set his aspirations high, aiming to represent Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He previously showcased his talent by winning a gold medal in the 57kg category at the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships held in Tahiti in July.
The bout at Walu Bay was part of a two-day international competition that featured 28 matches against junior and youth boxers from Australia. This event will continue through today at the Nausori District School ground. National coach Cam Todd mentioned that a New Zealand boxing team will arrive in two weeks, followed by the prestigious Golden Gloves Championship scheduled for December 13-14.
As the young boxer continues to strive for success, his commitment to honoring his late coach serves as a touching reminder of the legacy mentors leave behind in the sporting community.
In summary, Navuasese’s dedication to his late coach and his ambitious goals highlight both his promising future in boxing and the importance of mentorship in sports. With continued support and dedication, he has the potential to achieve great things on the international stage.
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