MARCH 28, 2024 | TORONTO, ON. – Boxing Ontario’s Youth & Junior Team excelled at the 2024 Canadian Championships hosted in Calgary, AB on March 20-24, 2024, bringing home a total of 30 medals: 15 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze.
The official Boxing Canada medal results for Ontario are as follows:
These results indicate that 23 Team Ontario athletes (gold and silver medalists) have qualified to represent Canada on the Youth and Junior National Team—an incredible opportunity to further advance these talented athletes to next level and even represent Canada internationally.
“Nationals allowed us to experience what a real international tournament may feel like for those in the future on this team—it is an opportunity nothing short of great and I feel [it] has prepared me for my future in the amateurs,” said 57kg Junior silver medalist Jayden Willis.
Team Ontario’s talent, hard work, determination, and competitiveness were on display over the course of the five-day tournament hosted by Boxing Canada. The athletes carried themselves with professionalism and supported their fellow teammates wholeheartedly.
“These young athletes are simply incredible. They were ready for the challenge at Nationals and made their coaches, teammates, and Ontario proud,” said Team Coach Virgil Barrow. “In the heat of battle, Team O was united and supportive, chanting ‘Who rocks the house, Ontario rocks the house!’ Great memories and new friends were made. I look forward to seeing their development.”
Boxing Ontario’s Youth and Junior Team prepared for Nationals through consistent training at their home gyms and at two Provincial Team training camps in February and March at King of the Ring Boxing and Kingsway Boxing, respectively. Executed by the Ontario’s selected Youth Nationals Team Coaches, these camps gave the athletes the opportunity to connect with their fellow teammates and coaches, to forge friendships, and to put the finishing touches on their training. The coaches were impressed by the athletes’ level of focus, energy, dedication, and eagerness to learn and excel.
“I take great pride in representing Ontario as a member of Canada’s national team,” commented 71kg Youth National Champion Jackson Cook. “It was a fantastic event! I’m grateful to the coaches who supported me throughout my journey, those who were in my corner, and to Boxing Ontario for assembling such a great team. I’m proud to be a part of Team Ontario!”
Boxing Ontario would like to thank the Youth Nationals Team Coaches Virgil Barrow (Kingsway Boxing Club), Julia DiMarcantonio (Napper’s Boxing Club), and Danial Khan (King of the Ring Boxing Club) for their support of Team Ontario’s athletes. Their dedication, knowledge, and hard work helped these bright, young athletes shine on the national stage. Congratulations to the athletes’ personal coaches for developing these fantastic, young athletes and for all their efforts in helping them succeed.
“I am over the top proud of how our team performed in the ring and how they conducted themselves during the tournament,” said Team Coach Julia DiMarcantonio. “I feel extremely fortunate to have shared the corner with my dream team Virgil and Danial, as well as so many of Ontario’s coaches. The effort that these clubs are putting into their athletes really shone through in the performance of their athletes.”
Boxing Ontario would like to congratulate every Team Ontario athlete on their incredible accomplishments at the 2024 Youth & Junior Canadian Championships. Whether they achieved a medal, a personal best, and/or new experiences to further develop their young boxing careers, the Boxing Ontario family could not be prouder of their efforts and looks forward to watching their amateur boxing journeys unfold.
“Thirty medals is an incredible achievement,” continued Team Coach Julia. “Not to mention the effort of many athletes who just missed the podium. Team O rocked the house! Can’t say enough about how bright the future of boxing is in Ontario. We should all be proud; the sky is the limit for these young boxers!”
“Work hard, dream big, make it happen.”
– Ava Fenton, 54kg Junior National Champion
Photos submitted by Team Ontario members and coaches.
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 www.boxingontario.com
Interview Opportunities:
Interviews may be arranged virtually, via email, or phone with Team Ontario athletes and coaches.
