Iokimi Navuasese has dedicated his recent victory to his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider, who was formerly known as Nathan Singh and passed away earlier this month. The 15-year-old boxer secured a unanimous decision win against Victoria’s Garica Bonnaci during a match at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
Navuasese, hailing from Nasoqo, Naitasiri, began boxing at the age of 12, receiving his initial training from Haider’s father, Gyan Singh. He emphasized that his fight was dedicated to Haider, who played a significant role in training young boxers, including him. “He contributed so much to boxing and training young boxers like me to carry on where he has left off,” Navuasese remarked.
He noted that he had been informed about the fitness and skills of his Australian opponent but relied on his boxing intelligence to compensate for any shortcomings in fitness. Despite feeling fatigued by the third round, the memory of his late coach fueled his determination to finish strong.
Navuasese has set his sights on representing Fiji in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He also recently achieved a gold medal in the 57kg category at the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships in Tahiti in July.
The competition in Walu Bay featured 28 bouts spread over two days, showcasing junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia. It will conclude today at the Nausori District School ground. National coach Cam Todd indicated that a team of New Zealand boxers is set to arrive in two weeks, leading up to the Golden Gloves Championship scheduled for December 13-14.
The atmosphere at the event was electric, with participants eager to honor the legacy of their coaches while striving for personal and national athletic goals.
In the results from the event, Ana Vaela won against Leba Arieta in the Sub Junior Girls category, the Sub-Junior Boys saw mixed results with Anare Malo and Yee On competing fiercely, while Navuasese scored a notable victory over Bonnaci.
This event not only highlights the rise of talented young boxers like Navuasese but also the supportive community that fosters their development in the sport. The dedication demonstrated by the athletes reflects a hopeful future for Fijian boxing on international stages.
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