A TEAM of 14 amateur boxers are in New Zealand for this weekend’s New Zealand Invitational boxing competition.
The team with boxers ranging from the ages of 11-19 left our shores last Thursday to get themselves acclimatised to the NZ weather.
“So basically, it’s a development team, so it’s some of the newer boxers who have a bit of potentials, the up-and-coming ones that I have been watching for the last year performing at local tournaments,” national coach Cam Todd said.
“Our youngest is 11 and the oldest are two boys in their first-year elite. Elite is the boxing term for senior boxers who are in their 19th year.
“So, we have a mixture of sub-juniors the U14’s, junior which is under 17 and youth which is U19.”
Todd is eager to score a victory against his New Zealand counterparts but will he will prioritise the development of his young boxers, in terms of their techniques and ring IQ against international opponents.
“It’s a chance for me to give them a taste of international boxing, and to experience what it is like being in a strange environment because it will all be part of their learning and growth”, he said.
Team list: Sub junior male: Zeneth Ledua 35kg, Lui Lepolo 54kg. Junior Female: Emali Matili 53kg, Lisi Lotu 60kg, Kasanita Kewatoga 65kg, Anaseini Naikanivatu 70kg. Junior Male: Ratu Epeli Seruvakula 54kg, Apisai Radravu 63kg. Youth Female: Lidia Matamalumu 62k. Youth Male: Nakeleto Qarasaumaki 54kg, Stephen Ledua 65kg. Elite Male: Ben William 65kg, Ejijah Qiokata 70kg. Elite Female: Jasmine Dakunakamakama 60kg.
