Boxing prodigy brings pride

Masterton Young Citizens Club boxing coach John Kamo took great pride in the bronze medal winning effort of Tongan Lomalito Moala in the lightweight 60kg division at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Kamo tutored Moala through the early stages of his boxing career and was always confident he had the potential to make it at international level.
It was seven years ago that Moala, now 21, travelled regularly over the hill from his Lower Hutt home to attend training sessions at Young Citizens.
"He was a newcomer to the sport back then but it didn't take long to realise he had the skills and dedication to go a long way," Kamo said.
Currently resident in Sydney, Moala fought for Tonga when a tourney was held in Lower Hutt before the Commonwealth Games. Kamo was in his corner as he secured as impressive win over local boy Marley Mahere.
In Delhi, he won his first three fights against Muhammed Hafiz of Malaysia, Martin Chibgela of Zambia and gold medal favourite Alex Ryan of Canada before losing in the semifinals to Scotland's Josh Taylor.
His bronze medal earned him a special place in Tongan boxing history - Moala was the first Tongan boxer to win a Games medal in the lightweight division and he was also given the honour of being their flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
Competing for Tonga at the 2012 London Olympic Games is Moala's next goal, while a professional career is his longer-term objective.