|
Sports |
Champion dethroned
Schoolboy, 16, beats
PNG and Oceania titleholder
By HENRY MORABANG
CENTRAL province teenager Lui Magaiva
has dethroned PNG and the Oceania gold medalist Jack Willie in the
48kg division to become the country’s new champion.
The little known 16-year-old Grade 7 student at Veifa Top-Up
Community School in the Bereina district proved that his win in
the early round of the trials against Willie was no fluke as he
beat the Madang man on points in the final at the Sir John Guise
Indoor Stadium yesterday.
Magaiva had to go through tough battle against Willie and then
Jimmy Kelep of Bougainville to book a rematch with Willie in the
final showdown.
As expected, the 48kg division fight was the highlight as upcoming
boxers take on the big boys in the business.
Magaiva said he was happy with his fight and is now looking
forward to his selection either in Arafura, Oceania or the Pacific
Games in Apia in May this year.
Magaiva thanked the Bereina Amateur Boxing Association for having
faith in him by selecting him in the finals for the trials.
Another exciting prospect in boxing, Francis Oaeke stunned the
crowd with his solid punches against Eugene Keto who had to
retire. Oaeke won the 51kg.
Joe Donkong of Bougainville proved too strong on points winning
17-5 to beat Pets Rex of Bereina in the 54kg while Nick Apai also
beat Andrew Opungu in the 57kg division final.
Bougainville international Jeffrey Koredong beat Hen Eko in the
60kg while controversial Rickson Iamo beat Bona Ae in the 64kg
division.
In the 69kg division, Toksy Seteme sent a message to the selectors
that he is the king of the ring when he stopped Peter Afaisa by
knocking him out in the first round of the finals.
Lae-based Billy Kian showed that he is still the best in 75kg and
John Korake won on points against his fellow NCD colleague Vincent
Kora in the 81kg division.
In the women’s division, the most exciting and interesting fight
of all the women was between Bougainvillean Georgina Ketona and
Ethel Afaisa. The latter won the fight.
 
|
