By Ron Lane
APART from returning home with a record breaking nine wins in the recent National Golden Glove Championships, the Impact Boxing Academy has now achieved yet another record that is somewhat unique.
Two brothers, 17-year-old Sam and 16-year-old Ben Cameron-Hands of Pomona, have come home as Golden Glove champions in their respective divisions for three years in a row.
However, their overall total is four championships.
It all started in 2012 when, for the first time, they both won their titles. Then after a break in 2014 they started their three year reign winning in 2014/15/16.
“As far as we know,” said a very proud coach Mark Evans, “this has never been achieved before in the history of Australian amateur boxing.
“It is something that the Noosa Shire should take pride in.”
Sam’s record stands at 68 fights with some 55 victories and for Ben it is 50 plus with 45 wins.
Both are students at the Noosa District High School.
For the boys their career in boxing started when the family settled in the district after migrating from Manchester, England, in 2007.
“It was Ben who started it all,” said the parents.
“Since the age of four he has been obsessed with the sport so after settling here we enrolled him with Mark at the Impact Boxing Academy and, of course, Sam had to be in it too.
“Mark and our family have a great relationship and this is the major factor in the boys’ success – all one big happy family.”
Add to their incredible record as athletes, their personalities outside the ring.
This is a credit to not only their coach but also their parents for in these brothers we have two very quiet, well-spoken and well-mannered young men.
Later this month the Queensland team, of which Sam is a member, will leave for Ireland where they will not only contest international tournaments but also attend high performance training camps.
Among the five from the Impact club who have made the team, will be a young lady Taylah Robinson. Her achievements in the ring are also outstanding.
At the recent National Golden Gloves she won her division.
In part her record now stands at three Golden Glove titles, two Australian, three state, two gold medals from the Poland International Tournaments and the Black Diamond Gold Medal also in Poland.
The Polish tournaments were contested by fighters from all over Europe.
Regarding the Irish tour, coach Mark Evans said: “Taylah and the team will compete in two international tournaments, one in the city of Clonmel one in Cork, then the team will move to Munster where they will take part in a three day high performance camp.
“Then following this they will fight over three days for the Celtic Cup.”
The other Impact fighters who also made the team along with Sam and Taylah are Brock Shelly, Luke Martin and Taylor Blizzard.
Apart from their state honours they are also National Golden Glove Champions.
When we consider the media space that is given to stories of street violence, the taking of ice and the coward’s punch, the achievements of our well-disciplined and successful Noosa Shire athletes should not go unnoticed.
Therefore, it is only right that we should not only take pride in but also celebrate the achievements of all our young athletes, regardless of their sport.
