OCEANIA gold medalist Elijah Qiokata achieved a significant victory in the 70kg youth category at the Golden Gloves competition, prevailing over Joe Nesta Kolitapa at Stan Brown Boxing Gym in Walu Bay yesterday.
This triumph marked the conclusion of Qiokata’s youth category career, signalling his upcoming transition to the Elite category.
Having started his boxing journey at 13-years-old, Qiokata has a significant background in Amateur Boxing.
His leadership of the Fiji Amateur Boxing team at the Youth & Junior Oceania Boxing Championships in Tahiti resulted in a gold medal for the country.
The 18-year-old boxer expressed his pride in this win, acknowledging the special significance of it being his final victory of the year and in the youth category.
“I have come a long way fighting in the Amateur
boxing, what I have learned over the year is to be discipline, and to how you test
your strength in the ring,” said Qiokata.
Drawing inspiration from his grandfather, Marika Bola, a former Fiji Welterweights Champion, Qiokata is motivated to continue his family’s legacy of boxing excellence.
“Looking at the fight today (yesterday), i have been fighting with my brother Kolitapa for a long time, we know each others fighting skills. so, it was a tough match.
“He has won three fights and i have won three, im really thankful to get this win, because its the last competition of the year 2024.”
Qiokata looks forward to the promising prospects that lie ahead in 2025.
