Day 1 of the Ratu Sukuna Bowl between the forces Army and Police is underway today with the first rounds of the Boxing Competition at the LICI Courts, Suva.

Secretariat for Sukuna Bowl Boxing, Josevata Tuisavulu said that this is a good opportunity for young boxers in the force to showcase their talents whilst also encouraging other young men in Fiji to take up Boxing as this isn’t always the first option when it comes to choosing a sport

Competing for the 2nd time in the Featherweight category, Lau lad, Rusiate Qalo is thankful to the Republic of the Fiji Military Force for giving him an opportunity as such

“I saw that there was an opportunity for work as I used to be a farmer back in Vanualevu. I received a call from one of my friends whom we are now working together. He simply just called for us to accompany each other and compete together in the Army Boxing Club and it had also been recently revived back then. And that was why I chose to take up this challenge and carry on the legacy for the Boxing Team for the Army Boxing Club”

Emotions were high for Lightweight Boxer from the Fiji Police Force, Petero Alick Uluilakeba as he recalls his journey through to his boxing career.

“Back when I was small, I always had this video game called Tag and Four and a character there named Steven made me like this sport because I loved the way he moved around. I tried taking up boxing professionally but had to pause for a while as my trainer had just passed away and didn’t box until I joined the Fiji Police Force”

Also from the Fiji Police Force and Gold medalist during the 2023 South Pacific Games, Jone Lagilagi had a few words of encouragement for young boxers in Fiji

“I recall when I won the gold medal at the South Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. I was only 6 years old, I had heard about a boxer claiming gold in one of the boxing competitions at the Vodafone Arena and who knew that 20 years later, I would break that record. I hope that the young boxers who want to take up this sport always remember to just believe in God and do all the hard yards”

The Boxing competition is set to carry on for the next three days and will see 9 finalists competing on the last day in the three categories from 57 to 67 kg.

(Story by: Ruci Ranitu | Intern Journalist)