Page 29 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 46

sportsenergynews.com September 2016 29

A Reunion of Athletes at Boxing at Olympics…

Highland Games Future or No Future?

event, but he didn’t let it ruin his or second time….I think the countries
By Todd Anderson
day. in the Western hemisphere that are
associated with AIBA must stand up
thletes competing in “You still get to hang out on and take a stand. A hard stand. AIBA
Athe Glengarry Highland a Friday. There’s something must be totally reformed. The agenda
Games liken the atmosphere different about the Highland with AIBA, the last few years, has
to a family reunion. Yes, they Games. It’s a fun time.” been to turn the sports elite into semi-
are there t o compete; however, pros and to form their own World Pro
the encouragement expressed In the intermediate division, League. It’s being run predominately
towards one another is what St. Eugene’s Austin Gaspar, 16, by Asian and former Russian countries
captured his second-straight wanting to form a monopoly. As
stands out the most.
championship. Visiting Maxville Michael Conlan stated after his loss:
“You’re here to better your during Highland Games weekend “They are cheats! Amateur boxing
own score, but we all cheer for is a highlight of his year. By Jorge Luis stinks from the core to the top.” Sad
each other,” says Alexandria’s but true in many respects. To the
Lisa MacDonald, 41, who “It’s fun to come here and meet don’t have cable or a dish so I have majority of the boxing world the
has competed in the women’s new people. It’s a great feeling I not been able to keep up with all the credibility of the sport is in jeopardy.
boxing and its developments at the

professional division since its to finish on top. I hope I can Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I The people involved in the sport
inception in 2004. “Coming here move on (to compete in higher have picked up bouts on Youtube and have an obligation to ensure our sport
divisions).” is held to its highest of standards.
is always a pleasure because it been able to see some good bouts. Where are the values? Hopefully
is my home town. There’s lots While it’s the athletes putting Once again amateur boxing at the AIBA gets the truth it severely needs
of fans cheering you on. The on the show, volunteers like Olympics has garnered controversy and true change will come. Canada
and been ripped by the International
community is very supportive.” Joanne MacPherson are essential and the US must lead the way. They
media for “questionable decisions” in
in keeping things running must exert all their influence and even

Apple Hill’s Ron Graham is bouts being judged at the Olympics.
a veteran of the heavy weights smoothly. This especially came to light in a threaten to leave AIBA if necessary
and start their own organization along
competitions. At age 51, he has “I have come here every bout with Ireland’s Michael Conlan with Western Europe. The IOC must
after a very controversial decision; a
been competing in Maxville for year since I was a MacCulloch also wake up once and for all. Much
loss to Russia’s Vladimir Nitikin. I
17 years. Now in the master’s dancer,” she says. “This is to my satisfaction, and to his credit,
watched this bout on Youtube three
division, he clearly hasn’t lost incredible. I watch those ladies Pat Fiacco the President of CABA
times. The Russian came forward the
the passion to compete. compete, and I am just in awe at whole bout and tried to land heavy the Canadian Boxing Association
how strong they are.” punches. Michael Conlan showed issued statements and took a very
“You see the same guys and strong stance, stating “following
much more boxing style, aggression
you just pick off from where you The winner of the Professional questionable decisions and alleged
is only effective if your landing
left off last year. I love it. We Division (unoffi cially recognized corruption claims occurring at the
punches. Michael Conlan showed
live in Apple Hill but we camp as the Canadian championships) much better defence, landed cleaner Rio 2016 boxing competition, a
global strategy is being put in place
here all weekend. It’s good to get was Matthew Doherty from punches, threw more punches, and
to pressure AIBA into addressing
the old guys together, talk about Antigonish, Nova Scotia who seemed to generally win the fi ght and correcting the situation. Boxing

our injuries and the old days.” finished the competition with 79 and have a comfortable lead. Then Canada strongly believes that the
In the amateur division, points, eight more than Calgary, came the decision….in favor of integrity of our sport and athletes must
the Russian!! What good did it do?
Maxville’s Travis Austin and Alberta resident Rob Young who The officials looked like monkeys. be protected while faced with injustice

Alexandria’s Steve Vanden finished second. Vladimir Nitikin was cut and battered and we will not tolerate any unfair
judgment. Although small measures
Oetelaar have become local The women’s division was won so severely he could not continue in have been taken by AIBA, combined
regulars participating at the by Victoria, British Columbia’s the competition anyway. So what efforts with our partners will continue
was accomplished and what was to be
Glengarry Highland Games. Susie Lajoie (point totals were until the integrity of boxing is restored

gained? Remember the no-headgear
Austin echoes the statements of not available). and has reached a satisfactory level.
rule? There was a case in point that in
most other athletes interviewed Perth Andover, New Brunswick amateur settings where boxers have to Spoken like a true leader. Not willing
when asked what he finds to be native Dirk Bishop claimed the box 3-4 bouts in less than 2 weeks, the to tow the line and play nice politics.

the most challenging event. no-headgear rule is stupid and does Thank you Pat, you have my support
Master’s title with 71.5 points, and the support of all coaches who run
not work. Maybe in this case it did
“The weight for height, barely ahead of second place clubs and love boxing. We can offer
work. Justice was served.

definitely. Why? Because I am Berle Conrad of Harrietsville, our young competitors nothing less
short.” Ontario. To AIBA’s credit the International than doing what’s right. Let’s make
body governing amateur boxing, the changes.

Vanden Oetelaar finished In the amateur division, they immediately suspended the
Yours in youth and sport
second in the amateur division Padraic Moore of Hillier, Ontario judges of that particular bout and are
in 2015. He admitted he wasn’t fi nished in fi rst place. Scores conducting an internal investigation. ….Jorge Luis

throwing his best during the 2016 were not available. But is it enough? This is not the first