Rising amateur boxers Ayabonga Meko and Oyisa Wanga cemented their mettle as SA’s best by cruising to impressive victories in the Eurasian Dauria Cup championships in Russia on Tuesday.
Meko,18, of KwaNojoli (formerly Somerset East) and Gqeberha’s Wanga are representing SA at the tournament, which started on Monday and runs to Saturday.
Contested in the youth class, the championships have drawn fighters from a slew of countries vying for top honours and generous prize money.
Accompanied by coach Luyanda Dibela, Meko and Wanga were selected after producing excellent performances at the African Youth Championships in Namibia where they both won gold medals in July.
The SA National Boxing Organisation said the two fighters’ participation in the championships reinforced the partnership between the amateur body and the Russian Boxing Federation, which included exchange programmes to give SA boxers the opportunity to compete in Russian tournaments.
“Our memorandum of agreement outlines several mutual benefits to strengthen relations between the two countries,” Sanabo vice-president Lwandiso Kwababana said.
Kwababana said the Russian federation funded the SA boxing delegation’s travel, accommodation and meals with Sanabo only bankrolling its members’ trip to Johannesburg.
Though Meko has won national and international medals, concerns were raised when he was matched against Cuban opponent Yeronne Veitia in the 57kg category in his first bout outside Africa.
Cuba, which retains its boxers in the unpaid ranks, holds the reputation as the strongest amateur boxing nation.
Meko’s trainer, Siyabulela Makala, confirmed he had some concerns when he saw the schedule but remained confident in the ability of his charge to hold his own.
“He sounded confident when he sent me a message before the fight and I did not want to deflate his enthusiasm by warning him of the danger posed by Cuban boxers,” Makala said.
True to his word, Meko, who goes by the nickname “Skorobho” (the cleaner), hardly put a foot wrong in dominating the bout for a points win.
The victory is the first by an SA boxer against a Cuban opponent and Meko is now favoured to win a medal.
Wanga did not disappoint either, defeating Vysal Halilov of Azerbaijan in a 63kg clash in a later bout.
Kwababana said the duo’s performances boded well for the amateur body’s quest to ensure its boxers build their international pedigree.
“Sanabo anticipates the two boxers to continue to deliver outstanding performances and qualify for the medal and prize money berths.
“The experience gained from such events is expected to enhance their international pedigree and prepare them for future elite-level events.”
On why SA sent only two boxers to contest the championships, Kwababana said: “Sanabo’s strategic direction is to prioritise quality over quantity in [its] athlete development programme.”
Meko faces Umar Orusbaev of Kyrgyzstan in his next bout while Wanga will have the crowd against him when he comes up against local hero Vladimir Yamkov on Wednesday.
Daily Dispatch
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