Young fighters keen to punch their tickets to Dakar

Marlborough athletes Rogene Daquioag and Israel Reece have a fighting chance of earning a ticket to the World Youth Olympics.

In Auckland last weekend the teenage boxers took the first step towards the showcase event, to be staged in Dakar, Senegal later this year.

Both fought twice at the New Zealand youth qualifying tournament, winning each bout and their respective weight divisions to earn a spot in the NZ youth boxing team which will now travel in early March to compete at a world qualifying tournament in Thailand. It is understood that a top three placing there will be sufficient to book a trip to Senegal.

Rogene, who fights out of the Marlborough Boxing Club, based in Blenheim, has put together an impressive CV in recent times.

The 16-year-old Marlborough Boys’ College Year 12 student has been boxing since he was three and joined up with the Marlborough club, under the guidance of head coach Raymond Madsen, since he was six.

During the past few years he has fought 32 times and picked up a string of titles, including the 2024 and 2025 under-63kg titles. He represented NZ against Australian opposition in both those years and is a two-time South Island Golden Gloves champion.

In Auckland, fighting in the 65kg weight category, he had a couple of tough opponents to get past as he sought to pursue his Olympic dream. He had been in the ring with both fighters before, and had beaten them previously, but admitted to some pre-fight nerves prior to what he described as, “my biggest fights in my career so far”.

In his first bout he scored a unanimous decision against a taller opponent from Christchurch, then earning a split decision victory against a tough Hamilton opponent.

The quietly-spoken teen feels his fight game is improving, both mentally and physically.

“Everything is going to plan … I am getting a lot more confidence now, it is very exciting.”

Rogene describes his ring strategy as similar to a chess match, suggesting the demanding sport is probably more of a mind game than a physical battle.

Asked what aspect of his fighting needs the most improvement, Raymond quickly interjects with, “uppercuts”.

“He throws them beautifully, and they land nicely, but he needs to throw more of them.”

Raymond is adamant Rogene has the goods to punch his ticket to the Youth Olympics.

“Oh, definitely,” said Raymond. “Until this happened, we were going to Australia to compete at the international Golden Gloves, because we are struggling to get fights for him in New Zealand now, but the overall objective has always been the Youth Olympics.”

Split decisions

Israel’s story is similar. He fought in the under-60kg division at the trials and won both his bouts by split decisions, against opponents he had taken on before and previously lost to, albeit in tight verdicts.

The 16-year-old Richmond View School Year 12 pupil is a former South Island Novice and Golden Gloves champion and has travelled extensively, showcasing his skills in Timaru, Hastings, Invercargill, Kaikoura and latterly Auckland.

Israel fights out of Arapawa Boxing, under the guidance of head coach Glen Cotton, who said the divisions Israel and Rogene fought in were probably “two of the most competitive”.

“They were the toughest weight classes … so competitive, in the end [the decision] comes down to a punch or two.”

Glen, like Raymond, feels his fighter has a “very real chance” of reaching the Youth Olympics.

“Israel is a huge talent with an awesome skill set,” he said. “He can compete with anyone in any country.”

An issue for both teens, in a self-funded sport, is the pressing need to raise around $5000 in travel funds prior to their trip to Thailand, especially with such a short turnaround.

Glen says they are working hard to find the finance but are on the lookout for sponsors, while Rogene’s family have set up a Givealittle page in the hope of attracting some business and community support.

Anyone keen to the province’s burgeoning talent, please contact Glen on 0278409057 or at [email protected] or Raymond on 0278903827 or at [email protected].