Fiji Amateur Boxing Association president Manasa Baravilala is happy with the attention and interest from individuals taking up the sport this year.
“We have seen a tremendous rise and interest in amateur boxing in 2022,” said Baravilala.
“Specifically post COVID, the numbers have been outstanding with the greatest increases in the age group competition where the future of boxing lies among girls and boys.”
Baravilala said the majority of bouts in the ages of eight to 14 years old, which classifies as the age group category of sub junior and junior boxers, had been increasing.
“The competition has uncovered some excellent prospects for the 2023 Solomon Islands Pacific Games and 2024 Paris Olympic Games. However, what is encouraging is the age group competition which has grown exponentially as this is the development pathway to elite and national representative boxing.
“Great things are certainly in store for these young ones who will revive the sport.”
With the Commonwealth Games looming, Baravilala said Team Fiji boxers were preparing well for the event with the help of overseas trainers.
“The preparations for our boxing representatives have been progressing well with assistance from our American strength and conditioning and biomechanics consultant and coach Mathias Narducci and head coach Kiwi, Cam Todd.
“The boxers have completed the first phase of their preparation and now move into the competition phase where they will fly to New Zealand to train and compete under Commonwealth Games coach Todd.
“In mid-July, Todd will fly with the boxers to Great Britain and join the Great Britain boxing team at their training camp in Sheffield, UK.
“Our boxers will train and spar with the English, Welsh and Scottish boxers representing United Kingdom at the 2022 Commonwealth Games before Todd moves the boxers to the Games Village and joins Team Fiji.”
The FABA weekly competition takes place at the Commander Stan Brown Boxing Gym at Walu Bay in Suva beside the Government Shipyard.
