Two boxers from the Saqwamd Boxing Club in the Netherlands have been crowned Junior Olympic champions.
Jayden Bernabe, 15, won the 132-pound weight class at the Junior Olympic State Championships on June 2 in Ann Arbor.
Bernabe defeated Lavelle Goins in the sub-novice semifinals and then defeated A-Square Fight Club's Sebastian Niat in the finals.
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“This means a lot to me and especially my family,” he said. “I've always wanted to do something big like this, to be on stage and perform, and I'm lucky to have the opportunity to do that. I just went into the fight with the mindset to win, stay focused on my opponent, throw combination after combination and most importantly, keep landing my jab.”
Bernabe wasn't the only champion.
Isaiah Mendoza, 14, won gold in the 119-pound pre-novice division.
“I just stayed focused and didn't lose confidence. I stayed alert and believed in myself,” Mendoza said. “I'm proud of the win. I'm happy to win two matches for the first time in my life. I can keep winning.”
He beat Tacy Hussain in the semi-finals and Leland Kuhian of Joe's ALCC Boxing Club in the finals.
“They've both worked hard for this and now they're Junior Olympic champions,” coach Saqwam Heath said.
Contact Sports Editor Dan D'Addona at Dan.D'Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter). Dandadona or Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sportss.
