Mekeo tops titles

 THE Kairuku district of Central had ample reason to celebrate at the National Boxing Championships in Kavieng, New Ireland, over the weekend, with North East West Mekeo Amateur Boxing Association claiming the overall honours.

The fighters from the Mekeo-Kuni local level government area in the Kairuku-Hiri electorate, won the championships in their first year of participation and their president Matthew Aisa was elected treasurer of the Papua New Guinea Amateur Boxing Union at the annual general meeting, which elected incumbent president John Avira to another three-year term.

Skipper and reigning flyweight (52kg) champion Charlie Keama said he was pleased with the results in their debut at the national titles.

The Pacific Games gold medallist in the light flyweight (46kg) division came up in weight and was just as effective, leading his team to a six gold medal haul to finish on top of the championship, ahead of host Kavieng and Kairuku (KABA).

Keama said they trained expecting National Capital District to be the main rivals at the championship but instead faced stiff opposition from Bougainville, Kavieng and Kairuku boxers.

Kairuku finished second with four gold medals and Kavieng came third, with two gold medals won by their female fighters Sonia Desmon (48kg) and Pauline Kairu (64kg).

Mekeo president Aisa said he was proud of the results and was humbled to be elected a member of the PNG Amateur Boxing Union.

Aisa thanked Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo for backing the association and making it possible for them to attend the meet. Results: Men – 49kg Peter Kape (KABA) beat Glen Lakao (ENB) on split points decision; 52kg Charlie Keama (Mekeo) beat Lui Magaiva (KABA) on unanimous points decision; 56kg Cornelius Inapi (Mekeo) beat Jonathan Lawas (Bougainville) on UD; 60kg Thaddeus Katoa (Bougainville) beat Gerald Lala (KABA) via stoppage RSC; 64kg Andrew Aisaga (Mekeo) Joe Magaiva (KABA) on SD; 69kg Jonathan Keama (Mekeo) beat James Ruki (Bougainville) on walk-over; 75kg Junior Kokovi (Bougainville) beat Peter Kia (Bougainville) on UD; Women – 48kg Sonia Desmon (Kavieng) beat Philo John of (Mekeo) on UD; 51kg Philo Magaiva (Mekeo) beat Geraldine Kupe (ENB) via stoppage RSC; 54kg Elizabeth Baida (Mekeo) beat Carreon Danny (Kavieng) via stoppage injury; 57kg Madeline Kua  beat Edwina Soto on SD; 60kg Pauline Foisape beat Joyline Kakito (Bougainville) on SD; 64kg Pauline Kairu (Kavieng) beat Victoria Aufa (Mekeo) on UD.