KENINGAU: Slick Boxing Club emerged as the overall champion of the Keningau Open Boxing Championship V3.0 after recording an impressive nine victories out of 12 bouts during the tournament held at Bandukan Resort here on Saturday.
The championship attracted participation from boxing clubs across Sabah, with a total of 70 athletes registered for the event involving 35 scheduled bouts. Two participants recorded walkovers, bringing the total number of active competitors to 68.
The tournament featured four competition categories namely U12, U14, U16 and Elite, highlighting the growing interest and development of grassroots boxing in Sabah.
In the U12 category, Fredrio Chrisen of Garagas Fight Team was named Best Boxer after an outstanding performance in the 36kg division. Meanwhile, Bryce Joshbekesha Jozender Juil of Tambuakar claimed the Best Boxer award for the U14 category in the 40kg division.
Slick Boxing Club continued its dominance when Zill Qayyim Bin Muhamad Hafiz was crowned Best Boxer for the U16 category in the 46kg division, while Deannel Daminus of Malinja Boxing Club received the Best Boxer Elite award in the 51kg division.
The event was organized by the Garagas Fighting Club with support from the Keningau Tourism & Cultural Association and sanctioned by the Persatuan Tinju Negeri Sabah.
The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by Rafie Robert, Chairman of Keningau Tourism and Cultural Association (KeTCA), who congratulated all participants and organizers for the successful staging of the championship.
Organizers described the tournament as an important platform for identifying and developing young boxing talents throughout Sabah while fostering sportsmanship and unity among athletes.-pr/BNN
