Eighteen-year-old boxer Randy Polines Jr. is ranked number one in the featherweight class in Canada.
The young boxer from Chestermere, Alta. comes into the Canada Cup as the defending champion and a national champion. He was named to the Canada boxing national team and has competed in international events.
The crowd at the Canada Cup showed their support of Polines Jr., who has become the pride of the community.
“It’s really a big honour ’cause you know, I’m still very young and just having this title and this responsibility, having a big name in my community really pushes me,” says Polines Jr.
Polines Jr.’s performances at the Canada Cup have gained the eye of coaches and he is a favourite to represent Canada in the Olympics in 2028.
Executive director of Boxing Canada Chris Lindsay plans to change the format for the tournament next year to prepare young athletes like Polines Jr. with better competition.
“We’re hoping to have six to eight international teams coming here to compete against team Canada so the athletes can measure themselves up on home turf in our house,” says Lindsay.
Calgary Journal videographer Ali Murji caught up with Polines Jr.