Iokimi Navuasese, a talented 15-year-old boxer, has dedicated his recent victory to his late coach, Ubaiyd Haider (formerly Nathan Singh), who passed away earlier this month. Navuasese secured a unanimous decision win against Victoria’s Garica Bonnaci during a bout held at the Captain Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay, Suva.
Having begun his boxing journey at 12, Navuasese was initially trained by Haider’s father, Gyan Singh. He has ties to Taviya in Ovalau, Lomaiviti. After his match, he stated, “This fight was for my late coach Ubaiyd Haider, and it is dedicated to him. He contributed immensely in boxing and trained young boxers like me to carry on his legacy.”
Before the fight, Navuasese was advised about the fitness and skill of Australian fighters, so he relied on his boxing intelligence, especially since he felt his fitness was lacking. Reflecting on the match, he noted that he felt fatigued by the third round but the memory of his coach motivated him to push through and finish strong.
Navuasese’s aspirations extend beyond local competitions; he aims to represent Fiji in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Notably, he also claimed a gold medal in the 57kg category during the 2024 Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships in Tahiti in July.
The two-day international competition featuring 28 bouts, which included junior and youth boxers from Victoria, Australia, was set to conclude at the Nausori District School ground. National coach Cam Todd announced that a team from New Zealand will arrive in the next two weeks, followed by the Golden Gloves Championship on December 13-14.
In other competition results, Ana Vaela won her match, and several bouts concluded with noteworthy performances, showcasing the emerging talent within the boxing community.
This recent victory not only honors the legacy of a great coach but also highlights the potential of young athletes in the region. As they continue to train and gain experience, there is hope for further successes and achievements on the international stage, indicating a bright future for Fijian boxing.
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