Mission Accomplished!
30 October 2016
I got a bye in the preliminary round and entered the President's Cup tournament in the Under 19 Youth Male 75kg quarter-finals, which I won unanimously on points, 3:0, followed by a semi-final win by unanimous 3:0 points decision.
In the final I met an experienced 18yo Youth boxer from Taiwan (who will be representing the Chinese-Taipei boxing team at next month's AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships 2016 in Russia).
My final in Taiwan was the toughest battle I've had for a while - he was a strong opponent. But I felt fitter than him, was able to use my experience.
The final was a hard contest, but I came away with another unanimous 3:0 points decision win.
I would like to acknowledge my coache(s) and thank all my supporters, including Coach Lo and the team from Pingtung that looked after me throughout the tournament and assited me with everything, Williams Fu who made it all possible, Tommy Chen of Inxtron for the hospitality in Taipei, Akitio.com for the airfare sponsorship to Taiwan, Dean at Roundabout Distributors, Mandy and the team at Recreational Services (Waipapa), my brother James, and Sumin, and my Mum and the people of Wairoa, Ya-Chieh and all my family in Taiwan, Rex Jenkins and family and the Central North Island Boxing Association, Auckland Boxing Association, Fili Maka and family, Greg & Kylee for help with accommodation in Auckland, the Robin Thorin Trust in Northland for their substantial support throughout 2016, Countdown supermarket (Waitangi), Liz Osokin for her long-term campaign support, all my friends at Kerikei High School and everywhere, Paul my old rugby coach, all those who donated on Givalittle, my Dad, and especially my coach Rusty Porter at Kaeo Boxing Club and the team at Northland Boxing Gym.
Thank you all!
