Iokimi Navuasese has dedicated his recent victory to his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider (formerly known as Nathan Singh), who sadly passed away earlier this month. The 15-year-old secured a unanimous decision against Victoria’s Garica Bonnaci during their match at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
Navuasese, originally from Nasoqo in Naitasiri, began his boxing journey at the age of 12 under the guidance of Haider’s father, Gyan Singh. He expressed his heartfelt emotions, stating, “This fight was for my late coach Ubaiyd Haider and it is dedicated to him.” He emphasized the significant impact Haider had in training young boxers, helping them to continue building on the foundations he laid.
Prior to the fight, Navuasese was advised about the fitness and skills of his Australian opponent, which prompted him to rely on his boxing intelligence, as he acknowledged his own fitness wasn’t optimal. “I knew that I’ve won by points in the first and second rounds and by the third I was feeling tired but the thought of my late coach pushed me to finish the fight,” he shared.
Looking ahead, the promising boxer has set his sights on representing Fiji at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Navuasese recently achieved a gold medal in the 57kg division during the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships held in Tahiti in July.
The bouts taking place at Walu Bay are part of a two-day international competition featuring junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia, and will conclude today at the Nausori District School grounds. National coach Cam Todd noted that a team of boxers from New Zealand is scheduled to arrive in two weeks, followed by the Golden Gloves Championship from December 13-14.
The event has continued with numerous other matches, showcasing the talents of both local and international athletes.
Adding a positive note to this article, Navuasese’s dedication to his late coach reflects the strong bonds formed in sports, as well as a determination among young athletes to honor their mentors by achieving greatness.
Summary: Iokimi Navuasese dedicates his boxing victory to his late coach Ubaiyd Haider, achieving a unanimous decision against Garica Bonnaci. As he aspires to compete in the 2028 Olympics, he reflects on Haider’s significant influence in training young boxers. The article also highlights ongoing international boxing competitions in Fiji, emphasizing the rise of youth talent in the sport.
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