Sixteen-year-old Elisha Kumar, the daughter of former Fiji amateur boxing champion, Gyan Kumar, achieved a major milestone last Friday after winning a gold at the Australian National Under-19 Schools Boxing tournament for the second time in the girls 50 kilograms category.
To top it off, the Gilroy College student was named the best junior female boxer of the tournament.
“It feels good to be a champion. I only managed to win the gold medal through hard work,” she said.
Coached by her father, Elisha says they have been working hard over the past few weeks ahead of the tournament, and now sets her eyes on competing at the World Championships.
“My coach (dad) does very specific training leading up to the major competitions. We did very specific drills and sparred with many elite female boxers in New South Wales.
“One month of very solid preparation, which entails drills, pad work, sand runs, sparring, partner work, etc.
“We travelled to over 12 different gyms in one month to prepare for this tournament.” According to Gyan Kumar, Elisha has been involved in boxing since she was 11-years-old.
“Elisha was born to do this. When she was 11 years old, she specifically asked me to train as she wanted to be a world champion one day.”
Born and raised in Australia, Elisha has competed in a number of boxing meets and competitions over the past few years.
“Apart from that, Elisha just won the Oceania Gold in Samoa in 50kg Junior in May 2023. Elisha was representing Australia. Elisha has won gold at every single boxing competition in the last 12 months.
“She has won gold in the King of the Ring, Golden Gloves Australian Club Championship (twice), and the Queensland Games.”
Coming from a lineage of boxing, Elisha says she was born to dominate the ring.
“I am a third-generation boxer and I am born to do this and faith motivates me to achieve my dreams.”
