Duo medal on Australia debuts
Published 12:00pm 30 May 2023
Words by Nick Crockford
Pictured: Tahlea Toohey with her Best Female Youth Boxer award in Samoa.
Tahlea Toohey and Paul 'PJ' Utia, from All Star Boxing Academy in Lawnton, made stunning international debuts at the Oceania Junior and Youth Championships.
Toohey, 18, beat New Zealand’s Saskia Elliott in the 60-63kg light welterweight final to bring home gold for Australia.
The Lawnton-based fighter earned praise online and received the tournament’s Best Female Youth Boxer award to join her collection of state, national and Golden Gloves amateur titles.
Paul “PJ” Utia booked his place in the final with a clinical performance and victory over Tetuaeaa Amatamapo, from French Polynesia, in the semi-finals.
His Junior Men’s 70-75kg final against Tavita Tuiloma-Moses, from New Zealand, was desperately close and went to a split decision … unfortunately against PJ.
However, it was a great experience for the 15-year-old who brought home a silver medal on his debut for Australia.
Before the tournament in Samoa, Paul Utia Snr, All Star Boxing Academy’s Head Coach of Amateurs, said “representing Australia is a great achievement”.
“Anything on top of that is a bonus,” he said.
Related Stories
Top Stories
Info sessions for North Pine dam
Drop-in community sessions are being held over the next nine days for those wanting more information about Seqwater’s dam improvement program.
Popular Stories
Moreton Bay artists shine in 2024 Brisbane Portrait Prize
Four Moreton Bay artists are among the 64 finalists chosen from almost 600 entries in this year’s Brisbane Portrait Prize. See their works...
'Priority' given for Waraba plans
Waraba, formerly known as Caboolture West, will be the 36th Priority Development Area in Queensland, unlocking land for 30,000 new homes and an estimated 70,000 new residents.
Trai Fuller: ‘It’s always felt like home’
Praised by Wayne Bennett for his courageous style of play and loved by long-time Dolphins fans, Trai Fuller has locked in a two-year deal with the club he calls home. He tells us why it means so much to him