Maikeli Seru
22 April, 2021, 5:20 pm
Elisha Kumar in action during her Australia under-14 Novice Girls Boxing title victory. Inset: Elisha, with dad Gyan after her win. Pictures: SUPPLIED
Elisha Kumar, the daughter of former Fiji amateur boxing champion, Gyan Kumar has become the first South Sea Islander and Fijian to win the Australian schools girls 50 kilogram division boxing title.
The Adelaide-based father and daughter boxers capped off years of hard work when Elisha won the division’s novice gold medal win last Friday.
“I am really proud of her,” Gyan, who was born and bred in Labasa, said.
“It was not our desire for my two daughters to take up sport. I never introduced them to sport, it just came naturally. One is a boxer and the other is a state champion high jump and long jumper. It is the natural talents within them and my job is to prepare them as they both have the desire to reach the Olympics.”
From left, Romeeta, Gyan, Elisha and Tanisha Kumar in Australia. Picture: SUPPLIED
Former Fiji amateur boxing champion Gyan Kumar is reaping the rewards of a plan he set two decades ago in Labasa.
Now residing in Australia, his plan is bearing fruits.
“Those days in Labasa, we were poor,” Kumar said from his home yesterday. “Growing up, I always say that one day I will live like a champion.”
Kumar and his family celebrated the achievement of his eldest daughter, Elisha, last week. She is 13.
She won the Australian National Club girls under-14 boxing title in the U50 kilogram division. Elisha is the fi rst South Seas islander and Fijian to get the title.