Team Ontario Brings Home 11 Medals from 2023 Quebec Open
Boxing Ontario's team returned from a successful Quebec Open tournament with a total of 11 medals: four gold, three silver, and four bronze.
La Fédération québécoise de boxe olympique (Boxe Quebec) hosted the international tournament from June 2-4 in Laval, QC and featured Open and Novice categories in all divisions.
Fourteen athletes and three Team Coaches (Crista Aguinaldo, Josh Canty, and Kyle Millette) represented Boxing Ontario:
Aayan Khokhar – (60 kg – Youth) - BRONZE MEDAL
Ben Lachowiez – (46 kg – Junior B) - GOLD MEDAL
Fue Vang – (54 kg – Elite) - SILVER MEDAL
Jackson Cook – (67 kg – Youth) - SILVER MEDAL
Karan Sembhi – (54 kg – Youth) – (1st bout UD. Precautionary withdrawal: injury).
Khol Adams – (67 kg – Elite) - BRONZE MEDAL
Liam Hughes – (76 kg – Elite) - (1st bout UD. Withdrawn TBC).
Mobina Afza – (50 kg – Junior C) - SILVER MEDAL
Parminder Pannu – (75 kg – Youth) – (Bouts unfortunately cancelled. Successful exhibition bout against opponent in higher weight class).
Rosalind Canty – (54 kg – Elite) - GOLD MEDAL
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Suriya Kumaresmy – (46 kg – Junior C) - GOLD MEDAL
Tara Deris – (63 kg – Elite) - BRONZE MEDAL
Taverio Stewart – (71 kg – Elite) - GOLD MEDAL
Timujin Quimado – (50 kg – Junior C) - BRONZE MEDAL
In addition to a gold medal, Team Ontario's Taverio Stewart won the title of Best Elite Boxer of the entire tournament. Taverio also won Best Male Boxer at the 2022 Provincial Championships.
Not only did the athletes achieve excellent personal results, but they also showed true team spirit as they came together to support one another. "It was an honour and such a pleasure to be a part of this team," said Coach Kyle. "Everybody meshed well and worked together as a team, even though most people would consider boxing an individual sport. Not only are these kids tremendous athletes; but they are great humans. They represented Ontario very well, [both] inside the ring [and] outside of it as well. Big-ups to the personal coaches of all these boxers; they’re obviously doing a great job, and I am truly thankful I got to play a small part in their journey."
Coach Josh said of the team’s performance: "Coach Cris, Coach Kyle, and I were pleased with the dedication and hard work of our athletes, and we all learned from each other and supported each other throughout the tournament. Looking forward to working with this coaching staff and these athletes in the future!"
Team Ontario athlete Tara Deris commented on the support she received from the Team Coaches: "I had 3 [bouts], and it was a tough experience without my personal coach. Thanks to Coach Josh for cornering and caring, thanks to Coach Kyle for his pad work and awesome drills, and [I'm very] thankful to Coach Crista for motivation, pad work, and cornering me; I really needed her there," she said.
Numerous teams from across Ontario also travelled to Quebec to compete in the multi-day tournament. Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and teams on all your accomplishments and successes at the Quebec Open.
"It was wonderful seeing Ontario have such a strong presence not only from our designated Team Ontario, but from other Ontario clubs including Dewith’s, City Boxing Club, Beaver Boxing, Bay Area Athletic Club, and Kombat Arts to name a few,” said Coach Crista. "Team Ontario did extremely well, bringing home some hard-earned medals, and more growth and development for each of the athletes and coaches alike that attended."
Opportunities to travel with a team are important for athlete development and help strengthen the bonds of the Ontario boxing family. "Working together is how we continue to bring up the level of boxing in Ontario, and opportunities/experiences like these are invaluable to the boxers’ progression. Thanks again to the boxers, fellow coaches Josh Canty and Crista Aguinaldo, and to Boxing Ontario for this opportunity,” commented Coach Kyle.
Boxing Ontario would like to congratulate the entire team on their hard work, perseverance, and excellent results and thank Team Ontario Coaches Crista Aguinaldo, Josh Canty, and Kyle Millette for their incredible support of Ontario's athletes throughout the entire tournament.