Tag: Teremoana Teremoana

Centenary State’s Teremoana Teremoana Bows Out Against Reigning Olympic Champion

Rising boxing star and Centenary State High School’s Teremoana Teremoana has been eliminated from the Paris Olympics after a closely contested match against defending champion Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan. The quarter-final bout in the 92kg+ category ended in a 5-0 decision in favour of Jalolov, despite a spirited performance from the Australian.

Read: Centenary State High Alum Teremoana Teremoana Punches His Way to Paris Olympics

Heavyweight match at the North Paris Arena

The quarter-final match saw Teremoana putting up a strong fight against his more experienced opponent. The 26-year-old Queenslander came out aggressively in the opening round, frequently forcing Jalolov against the ropes. However, the judges awarded the first round to the Uzbek boxer in a close decision.

Jalolov gained momentum in the second round with several early hits, though the Australian rallied late. The final round saw Jalolov secure points from all five judges, resulting in a unanimous decision.

Teremoana remains positive

Despite the loss, the boxer maintains his trademark optimism. “I guess it just wasn’t my time to get a medal,” he says. “I know I’ve done my family proud, done my country proud and made a little bit of history along the way.”

He expresses confidence in his abilities, stating, “I still believe I’m the best in the world, and unfortunately it’s not my day today.”

He plans to enjoy the rest of his Olympic experience before deciding on his future in the sport. He mentions the possibility of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, saying, “I’ve given myself until 2030 to box … so LA possibly because it’s in the time frame, we’ll see how we go.”

Prior to his quarter-final match, Teremoana made history as the first Australian to win an Olympic fight in the super heavyweight division. His round of 16 bout ended with a knockout victory over Ukraine’s Dmytro Lovchynskyi, showcasing his improved performance since their last encounter.

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Teremoana, formerly known as Samson, changed his name to honour his late grandfather. This decision, along with his commitment to not cutting his hair, reflects his strong connection to his Cook Islands heritage.

Published 04-August-2024

Centenary State High Alum Teremoana Teremoana Punches His Way to Paris Olympics

Centenary State High School alum Teremoana Teremoana is now aiming for his Olympic gold, after qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Let’s delve into the remarkable journey of this rising star in Australian boxing, whose path from high school athlete to Olympic hopeful is as inspiring as it is impressive.

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Born Teremoana Junior Teremoana, the 2015 Centenary State High School graduate has deep roots in the Cook Islands, though he was raised in Brisbane. His boxing career began at age 12 when his father introduced him to the sport, initially as a means to protect his sisters.

For a decade, boxing was part of Teremoana’s life, but it wasn’t until a personal tragedy that he fully committed to the sport. The loss of his grandfather, his namesake Teremoana Tangauru, just before his 21st birthday became a turning point. 

Teremoana with his grandmother and mother (Photo credit: Boxing Australia/Facebook)

“After I turned 21, I just looked at everything and thought, nah stuff this, I’m going to give it a go, give it a crack, because what can you lose?” Teremoana reflected.

Standing at an imposing 198cm (6’6″) and weighing 122kg, his physical presence is formidable. However, outside the ring, he’s described as quietly spoken and very family-oriented. This gentle giant has proven himself a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world.

In 2023, he claimed the Australian super heavyweight championship. He then secured his Olympic berth at the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, where he remained undefeated and claimed gold in the +92kg category.

Photo credit: Boxing Australia/Facebook

Centenary State High School proudly celebrates their alumnus’ achievements, remembering him as a “fearsome ‘hitter'” on the open volleyball team. Now, as Teremoana prepares for the Paris Olympics, his goal is clear: “I don’t want to be good, I want to be great, I want to be the best.”

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This boxing champ from Brisbane is poised to make his mark on the Olympic stage, embodying the spirit of determination that took him from high school sports to the pinnacle of amateur boxing.

Published 2-July-2024