Izaiah Harrington and Urijah Harrington.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Goulburn Valley Boxing Academy is celebrating a landmark showing at the illustrious International Golden Gloves tournament in Queensland - as five fighters came away with medals.
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Led by head coach Zedda Harrington, his ensemble cast of pugilists and their families made the trip up to Brisbane for the championships between August 17 and 22.
Adding a third Golden Gloves triumph to his honours roll was Urijah Harrington, 16, who continued his sterling rise to prominence in the ring, clinching the title following a unanimous decision victory in the 48kg Open decider.
“He fought a fighter from the Sunshine Coast who really came to give it a good effort,” Zedda reflected, as he expressed his joy at his son’s achievement in the final.
“He put a standing eight-count on him in the last round and it was a really tough battle.”
Following in his sibling’s footsteps, Izaiah Harrington, 14, claimed a unanimous triumph against his opponent from Newcastle in the United Kingdom in the showpiece 38kg Open final.
“He fought what they call over there a Geordie and it was a very rough fight, his game plan was to close the distance and he was hitting on the break” his father said.
“But Izaiah kept his composure, found his space and did the work to get himself the points decision.”
Cousin Knox Harrington, 13, also carried on the family’s tradition of success, as he made a significant impression after stepping up to the under-15 38kg C Division, earning a silver medal.
“His first fiht in the semi-final he got the win, and lost against a much more expereinced gy in the final, but he can be so proud,” Zedda continued.
“He earned it really well, standing up to the challenge in a higher division and got the runner-up spot.”
The Goulburn Valley Boxing Association's fighters put in an incredible showing in Brisbane.
In the case of Ayden Hicks, who has been dubbed the “Muckatah Mauler, he solidified his burgeoning reputation as one of his home region’s brightest talents as he claimed silver in the 70kg (C).
Zedda spoke with pride at the teenager’s development, with his protege’s performances in Brisbane representing the culmination of his hard work on the canvas to date.
“We’ve had him with us training for about six months and he’s a real rough and tough boxer,” he said.
“He won via a round three stoppagte in his first fight, then backed that up with a round two stoppage in the second fight.
“The nature of his style is to go all out - the way he fought got him to where he was.”
Meanwhile, Kailem Harrison also took home a gold medal, after his opponent failed to make weight ahead of their slated contest.
Finally, Murtaza Akbari made the semi-finals in the 60kg (B) weight class, meaning all of GVHA’s athletes returned to Shepparton having registered victories at the championships.
Looking back over a bumper week in Queensland, Zedda spoke of his admiration for how his young disciples fared.
“It was a week of highs and lows, a real roller-coaster of emotions and success. We left with six athletes and came home with five medals as a group, I’m very proud of them!” he added.
“Our club is going from strength to strength, with unprecedented results for our region. The culture and environment that we create is doing wonders.”
