Shortlands boxers return with medals

[Stacey King]

SOLOMONS STAR - Thursday, 28 May 2009

THE Shortlands Boxing select team returned from Nauru Boxing Challenge with medals, an indication they are medal prospects for Solomon Islands in the Pacific Mini Games. The local boxing team, who arrived last Tuesday evening, won three of the eight categories. Nauru national team won five categories.

The competition focused on eight categories - light weight (48kg), Flyweight (51kg), Bantam weight (54kg), Featherweight (57kg), Lightweight (60kg), Light welter weight (64kg), Welterweight (68kg) and Middleweight (75kg). Shortlands boxing champion in the 48 kilogrammes, Dominic Takalo, and Nauru’s national champion Freeman Tokatake were each awarded the best and fairest boxers award. Solomon Islands Amateur Boxing Association (SIABA) secretary and President of Shortlands Boxing Patrick Morris said the competition was very tough and of high standard.

“Nauru is represented by their national team who are preparing for the world championship competition and the Pacific Mini Games in Cook Islands later this year. “They were surprised to hear that Solomon Islands will not be taking part in Boxing during the Mini Games this year,” he said.

Boxing was excluded in Team Solomons for the Pacific Mini Games in later this year. However, Morris added that the Nauru challenge was good for his boys to compete in such level of competition.

“We need more international challenges or competitions to improve our standard of boxing. Last year, SIABA sent Epalle Boxing Club from Honiara to Kiribati on a home and away competition.
SIABA have two more invitations and are waiting for invitation from any federation.

Shortlands boxing thanked the Western province Government, Parliament Member for Shortlands Augustine Taneko, Shortlands Shipping Company, FAMOA, Fairtrade Company Limited, and those who assisted the Shortlands boxing team.