Check out this interview from Day 2 of the Calgary Cup with Team Ontario Coach Ibrahim Kamal from MJKO Boxing.
What are your thoughts on how Team Ontario performed over the last two days?
Team Ontario performed great the last two days, the western provinces have been open during COVID and were competing while we were locked down in Ontario. This has been a high caliber tournament, with many amazing and talented boxers competing. Our boxers had a great showing considering that this tournament was our first since the pandemic. One boxer from Alberta had 14 bouts this year alone, while one of ours had 4 during the entire pandemic. That being said, our athletes performed extremely well, all displayed incredible determination, showed great skills, sportsmanship and most importantly left an impression with their opponents.
Where there any outstanding match-ups in the first day? On the second day?
There was plenty of great matches on both days of competition. For a boxing fan, this has been a spectacular tournament with many close bouts, the action and skills displayed thus far has been spectacular. This has been a fan-friendly tournament, lots of exciting match-ups, and nail-biting barn burners. Liam Welch had an outstanding bout. Great back and forth action with his opponent, Liam pulled away in the third round and ultimately brought Ontario’s first gold medal of the competition. Hunter Lee displayed incredible heart and hung in with the 2022 AMBC Continental champion from Mexico. The skill displayed by both boxers was world class. Austine Bayani had the crowd on their feet with his bout against British Columbia. Both boxers were trading punch for punch, with no let-up between the two. It was a battle to the end. A very memorable bout that the fans will remember and talk about for some time.
How will Team Ontario prepare for the matches for the final day of the tournament?
Team Ontario will prepare for the final day of competition by rest, go over our game plans against our opponents and be first once the opening bell rings. It’s the last day of competition and the goal is to leave it all out, go for gold.
Are there any key matches to watch for Sunday?
A key match is the final of the 63.5KG youth category where Owen Paquette will be looking capture gold. He had an outstanding quarterfinal bout on Friday, Saturday he won his semi-final match via walkover and is now into the final looking to leave Calgary with gold.
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