Iokimi Navuasese has honored his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider (formerly known as Nathan Singh), with a heartfelt win in the boxing ring. The 15-year-old fighter secured a unanimous decision victory over Garica Bonnaci from Victoria during an event at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva, yesterday.
Beginning his boxing journey at the age of 12 under the tutelage of Haider’s father, Gyan Singh, Navuasese is deeply connected to his roots, with maternal ties to Taviya in Ovalau, Lomaiviti. After the match, Navuasese dedicated his fight to Haider, expressing gratitude for the substantial impact his coach had on aspiring young boxers, including himself. He reflected, “This fight was for my late coach… He contributed so much to boxing and training young boxers like me to carry on where he has left off.”
Despite acknowledging that his fitness was lacking compared to his Australian opponent, Navuasese relied on his mental strategy to navigate the fight. He confidently scored points in the early rounds, even as fatigue set in by the third. The memory of his late coach motivated him to push through to victory.
Looking ahead, Navuasese has set his sights on representing Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. His recent accomplishments also include winning a gold medal in the 57kg category at the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships in Tahiti in July.
The ongoing international competition at Walu Bay features 28 bouts, showcasing junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia, and is scheduled to conclude today at the Nausori District School ground. National coach Cam Todd announced that a team of boxers from New Zealand will arrive in two weeks, followed by the Golden Gloves Championship on December 13-14.
The spirit of competition and dedication to the sport remains strong, exemplified by Navuasese’s resilience and vision for the future.
Results from the event include notable performances from various categories. Ana Vaela triumphed against Leba Arieta by Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) in Round 2 in the Sub Junior Girls division, while Anare Malo narrowly lost to Rusiate Jnr by points (2-1) in the Sub-Junior Boys division. Other highlighted matches include Jone Fatiaki winning against Iowane Rauli by RSC in Round 2, and Nathan Long defeating Serupepeli on points (3-0) in the Elite 71-75kg category.
This article not only celebrates sporting achievements but also emphasizes the importance of mentorship in sports. Navuasese’s journey is a remarkable reminder of how the memories of those we’ve lost can inspire us to reach our own goals.
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