November 19, 2024 | TORONTO, ON. – Boxing Ontario’s Elite & U23 Provincial Team is ready for action at the 2024 Canadian Championships, in which top boxing talents from across the nation will gather in Sarnia, ON for four days of thrilling competition to contest coveted spots on the Boxing Canada’s National Team.
Ontario’s Elite and U23 squad is a formidable collection of athletes featuring gold and silver medalists from the 2024 Golden Gloves Provincial Championships: wildcard athletes who demonstrated strong performances at Provincials, and incumbent National Team members who are eager to defend their titles.
The following athletes will be representing Ontario at the Olympic Trials:
To ensure they are abundantly prepared for Nationals, Team Ontario has diligently trained at their home gyms and participated in provincial training camps led by Nationals Team Coaches Ray Napper, Margaret Canty, and Sebastian Cordova.
Camp 1 took place at Destiny Boxing in Kitchener, and Camp 2 at DC Boxing Academy in Guelph. The two-day camps focused on drills, pad work, technical sparring, open sparring, fitness, nutrition, World Boxing rules, and team bonding.
“Based on what I saw at the training camp, Ontario has a talented and hard-working young team,” said Ray Napper, who is also Ontario’s Head Coach. “My advice to these athletes is to work hard and do what they do best. Give it 100 percent and be happy with the result.”
“As both a coach and a parent, it’s a privilege to witness the growth of these young athletes, not just in their skills but in their character and camaraderie,” Coach Margaret Canty echoed. “Let’s continue to cheer them on, not only for their performance but also for their resilience, sportsmanship, and passion.”
Victory at Nationals not only means opportunities to compete on the world stage, but it also potentially launches athletes on the Olympic pathway. “Sarnia 2024 is the first step towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles,” said Boxing Canada Executive Director, Christopher Lindsay, in a released statement.
“As a coach I’m most excited for this tournament because I love watching Team Ontario athletes accomplish their goal of being National Champion. Witnessing the excitement on their face when they are named the new Canadian Champion is an amazing feeling,” said Coach Ray.
Thank you to Ontario’s Nationals Team Coaches, Destiny Boxing, DC Boxing Academy, and the athletes’ personal coaches for all their support of the team’s preparations for Nationals.
“Together, we represent more than just a team, we are a family,” said Coach Margaret. “Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s show the nation what Team Ontario is all about!”
Competition kicks off on Wednesday, November 20 at 1pm EST. For more information, schedules, and links to live-streaming, visit boxingontario.com.
Best of luck to Team Ontario!
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About Boxing Ontario:
Boxing Ontario is the only governing body for Olympic-style boxing in Ontario. As such, it is affiliated with Boxing Canada (CABA), the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, & Sport, and World Boxing. Founded in 1972, our mission is to inspire and grow interest, participation, and a love of the sport of Olympic-style boxing in Ontario. Learn more at boxingontario.com
Boxing Ontario Media Contact:
Rebecca Freeman | Communications, Boxing Ontario | [email protected]
Boxing Canada Media Contact:
Christopher Lindsay | Executive Director, Boxing Canada | [email protected]
Interview Opportunities:
Available upon request.
