The Super City South Auckland-based boxing club picked up seven gold, one silver, and most scientific junior title.
Tūwharetoa's Jayden Downs' skill outclassed both opponents to pick up gold in the 57kg weight division and a chance to be selected for NZ team to compete in the Junior Worlds in Russia.
The three time Golden Glove champion and New Zealand title holder, in 2012 he was named most scientific cadet. He says he was pleased with his performance gaining higher honors winning most scientific junior of tournament in Taupō the weekend, “It’s hard to win that award, got to put in all the hard work, dedication to get myself to where I am.”
Rakai Kohu Kirkwood Jnr (Tainui) took out the 60kg division and says it will be a dream come true if he got to represent his country, “Golden Gloves was the buildup of something bigger and brighter and that’s the world champ which I have been training for pretty much my whole life.”
Having won gold means both Kirkwood and Downs are likely to be selected to represent New Zealand in Russia.
The crew at Super City Gym put a plan in place that would see their fighters gets a podium finish, head coach Rakai Kohu Kirkwood said, “They have been trying for it since they were ten years old and always wanted to represent New Zealand in boxing and they have finally come of age.”
It's back to training for both fighters, with their minds set on preparing themselves for when the phone call comes from New Zealand head coaches, Jayden says, "I’ll just keep doing the hard work, keep training hard, so I can stay on top and be my best.”
The Junior Worlds competition is to be held month of September in Russia.
