Samuel Whitehead of Woongarrah has won a silver medal for Australia in the 2023 Oceania Boxing Confederation Junior and Youth Oceania Boxing Championships held in Samoa.
After a close three rounds the bout went to review before the decision was given to the boxer from New Zealand in a very close split decision.
“It wasn’t the result I wanted but it’s only the beginning and a silver medal at my first international campaign is a great start to my international career,” Whitehead said.
The 18-year-old has been boxing for just over four years and has been part of the NSW Futures program for the past three years.
Whitehead started his training at Central Coast Boxing gym in Budgewoi under Steve and Bailey Mannix who later introduced the team to a well-known local coach Dean Robinson.
Team Robinson trains out of Accolade Boxing Gym in Morisset with continued success and Whitehead is the third young boxer under Coach Robbo to make the Australian team and compete at an international level this year.
Whitehead will go to South Australia next month as part of the NSW team and hopes to improve on the silver medal he won last year in his 63.5kg weight division at the Australian Titles.
“My amazing sponsors make it easy for me to travel the country and world to chase my goals and dreams,” he said.
“To my amazing family and coach Robbo, I am forever grateful for your support and encouragement”.
Sue Murray