Jae Opetaia is Australian boxing’s great big hope. The nation failed to win at medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in one of the world’s toughest sports and Opetaia could be the man to end the drought.
He represented Australia at the London Olympics, aged just 16, and almost landed the upset of the Games.
As Australia’s youngest ever Olympic boxer, Opetaia came to within just one punch of beating the then world number one heavweight and eventual bronze medallist, Azerbaijan’s Teymur Mammdov.
The southpaw counter puncher stands at six foot two inches, weighs 91 kilograms, and is aiming for gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
What am I competing in?
Opetaia will compete in the heavyweight division in boxing.
Who’s my competition?
England’s heavyweights Simon Valilly and Warren Beister will be two of the favourites, while Scotland are usually competitive in the Commonwealth Games. They will rely on three-time national champion Stephen Lavelle.
Form heading into the Games
Opetaia won the 2011 Junior World Championships, took home bronze in the 2012 Youth World Championships, and qualified for the 2012 Olympics Games.
Commonwealth Games history
At just 19 years old, this will be Opetaia’s first appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Why should Aussies get behind me?
Opetaia is a winner, and he has the determination and self-belief needed in boxing to succeed.
At just 16 he was bitterly disappointed to get knocked out of the Olympic Games, and his passion and drive have to be admired.
“I thought I won the fight,” Opetaia said of the loss.
“Just a bit more fitness and I could have slipped in one more punch.
“Just coming home empty handed from the Olympic Games was heart breaking. I never want to feel that again.”
He has not only become wiser in the past two years, but naturally stronger. Having had a tenuous relationship with previous Australia coach Don Abnett, Opetaia is benefitting under the tutelage of the incoming Kevin Smith.
He’s also drawing on the experiences of his famous cousin, Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, who has proved to be an inspiration.
“For me, knowing where Tim has come from and seeing what he’s accomplished, it’s proved anything is possible,” he said.
“He started with nothing and now has the world at his feet.”
He was home-trained by his father Tapu Opetaia, a former national super-heavyweight champion himself, and anything but victory is unthinkable.
“I feel so much stronger than when I was 17,” he said.
“I’m fit and I’m ready. I’m more physically and mentally tougher; that nervousness [from the Olympic Games] isn’t there.
“The Commonwealth Games is another stepping stone but, in saying that, it’s an important one.
“I’d be gutted if I don’t get a medal and what I really want is gold.”
Opetaia’s plans after Rio 2016 is to “One hundred percent turn professional”.
Fast facts:
– Opetaia is related to Socceroos legend Tim Cahill and Parramatta Eel prop Ben Roberts.
– Opetaia is the son of a Samoan father and an Australian mother
– He is a fourth-generation boxer on his mother’s side, and third-generation boxer on his mother’s side
This article was first published on the Tenplay website here.
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