Iokimi Navuasese has paid tribute to his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider, formerly known as Nathan Singh, by dedicating his recent victory in the boxing ring to him. The 15-year-old boxer achieved this milestone by winning a unanimous decision against Victoria’s Garrica Bonnaci during a match held at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
Hailing from Nasoqo, Naitasiri, Navuasese started his boxing journey at the age of 12 under the guidance of Haider’s father, Gyan Singh. He expressed deep gratitude for Haider’s significant contributions to his training and to the boxing community, stating, “This fight was for my late coach Ubaiyd Haider, and it is dedicated to him.”
As the match progressed, Navuasese felt challenged by his opponent’s fitness, yet he leveraged his strategic intelligence to secure a win. “I was told the Australians are fit and skilled, so I used my IQ because my fitness was not up to par,” he explained. Despite feeling fatigued in the later rounds, the motivation from his late coach drove him to complete the fight.
Navuasese has set an ambitious goal to represent Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, he also won a gold medal in the 57kg category at the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships held in Tahiti.
The event at Walu Bay featured a total of 28 bouts and was part of a two-day international competition that included junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia. It was scheduled to conclude today at the Nausori District School grounds. National coach Cam Todd also mentioned that a team from New Zealand would arrive in two weeks, followed by the Golden Gloves Championship set for December 13-14.
Results from the bouts included various victories across different categories, showcasing emerging talents in the boxing arena.
This story highlights the resilience and dedication of young athletes, showcasing how personal loss can inspire greatness and ambition. Navuasese’s commitment to honoring his mentor’s legacy while setting his sights high for the future serves as an encouraging narrative for aspiring athletes everywhere.
Summary: Iokimi Navuasese, a 15-year-old boxer, dedicated his recent victory to his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider. He won by unanimous decision against Garrica Bonnaci in Suva and aims to represent Fiji in the 2028 Olympics. The ongoing competition at Walu Bay emphasizes the growing boxing talent in the region.
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