Creating history will mean nothing if others don’t follow is the view of Jasmine Daunakamakama who has been selected to represent Fiji at the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand from May 23 to June 3, 2024.
The 19-year-old Lomanikoro, Bau, Tailevu athlete with maternal links to Samoa will become the first ever female boxer from Fiji to participate at an Olympics qualifying event for the sport.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me but also young female athletes that are looking at taking part in the sport,” she said.
“This presents an exhilarating opportunity, not just for me, but for aspiring young female athletes eyeing entry into the sport.”
Daunakamakama said she took inspiration from her mother who also used to participate in the sport growing up in New Zealand.
“My mum and her siblings used to participate in national competitions and I would see their trophies back at their family home in New Zealand,” she said.
“Their support for me taking up the sport has been tremendous and encouraging and I hope to repay that faith by trying my best to be a part of the Olympics team to Paris, France.”
Daunakamakama, who is taking a break from studies to focus on her dream to be an Olympian, said at the moment her coach wanted her to gain as much experience as possible from this opportunity.
“I have my personal goal which is to win a spot to the Olympics, my parents have always encouraged me to aim high and believe in myself and my abilities,” she said.
Daunakamakama will participate in the 57kg weight category and is aware of the mammoth task that will await her in Thailand in May.
“At the moment I am working on perfecting my technique as well as being a more aggressive fighter,” Daunakamakama said.
“I am aware that there will be more experienced and technically better fighters coming into the qualifiers but my aim is to be more aggressive.
“She is one of the shorter fighters and despite her stature, Daunakamakama wields formidable power and possesses an innate capacity for rapid learning,” coach Cam remarked, underlining her potential for future greatness within the sport.
Daunakamakama epitomises the essence of resilience, determination, and unwavering courage — a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes and a harbinger of a new era of inclusivity and excellence in the realm of boxing in Fiji.
