The biggest pathway boxing tournaments held in New Zealand each year, are to take place this weekend, with the staging of both the North and South Island Golden Gloves during the Queen’s Birthday holiday break (1/2 June 2019)

The 35^th Northern Island Golden Gloves will be held at the Great Lake Centre in Taupo, with the South Island Golden Gloves which also dates back to the mid 1980’s, will take place at the Kaiapoi Club in Kaiapoi.

The Golden Gloves are an important step in the Boxing New Zealand age-group pathway. The BNZ age-group journey starts with Mini-Cadets (born 2008 & 2009) and progress to Cadets (born 2005, 2006, 2007) Junior (born 2003 & 2004) and Youth (born 2001 & 2002), before graduation to the open ranks.

Both Golden Gloves have strong entries in the Cadets, Junior and Youth ranks, with the very best of the age group boxers competing for places in the annual North v South Golden Gloves, to be held Rotorua on the 22^nd June 2019.

For many of the Mini-Cadets and Cadets at both Golden Gloves, it will be an introduction to a step up in competition and also the opportunity to rub shoulders with New Zealand Senior Champions and New Zealand representatives.

North Island Golden Gloves organisers, are facing two very long days of competition with novice and open divisions, in all five male and female categories. The South Island tournament has 50 plus bouts on their card, with Mini-Cadets (6) Cadets (22) Juniors (22) Youth (14) and 51 elite open boxers ready display their skills and abilities in front of the South Island National selectors.

Boxing at the North and South Golden Gloves, will be some of New Zealand representatives who experienced Gold, Silver and Bronze medal success, at three international overseas tournaments during April and May 2019. Double Commonwealth Games Gold medallist David Nyika, won the heavyweight division at the Felix Stamm tournament in Poland and also earned the prestigious boxer of the tournament trophy – with middleweight Emile Richardson returning home with a Silver Medal.

Tasmyn Benny won her way to the 51kg title decider at Boxam Valenciana, to earn a Silver Medal, with both Chei Kenneally and David Nyika receiving Bronze Medals.

Three Gold, two Silver and five Bronze medallions, were the return from the two New Zealand (Kiwi North & Kiwi South) teams who participated at the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia.

Boxing New Zealand International Medals April/May 2019

Boxam Valenciana 15-18 May 2019

Female 51kg - Tasmyn Benny (Auckland)                Silver Medal     

Female 69kg - Chei Kenneally (Auckland)               Bronze Medal

Male Heavyweight - David Nyika (Auckland)          Bronze Medals

Feliks Stamm International Boxing Tournament Warsaw, Poland – 28 April – 5 May

Male 91kg – David Nyika (Auckland)                        Gold Medal – Boxer of the Tournament

Male 75kg – Emile Richardson (CNI)                         Silver Medal

Arafura Games Darwin, Australia - 1-4 May 2019

Female

69kg - Ariane Adlington (Bay of Plenty)                   Gold Medal

75kg - Christina Reid (Canterbury)                            Gold Medal

69kg - Pelea Fruean (Auckland)                                 Silver Medal

51kg – Katie Thompson (Auckland)                          Bronze Medal

60kg - Michelle Nuku (Bay of Plenty)                       Bronze Medal

69kg – Bree Cumming (Boxing Canterbury Metro) - Bronze Medal

Male

Male 91+kg - Siaki Tu (Auckland)                              Gold Medal

52kg - Ivan Pavich (Waikato)                                      Silver Medal

75kg - Jesse Mahony (Taranaki)                                  Bronze Medal

81kg - Trevor Swainson (Canterbury)                         Bronze Medal

Article added: Thursday 30 May 2019