“Boxing made me a happier person” Dylan, 15​
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Started 2019-2022 (Started Boxing at 9, competed competitively at 10)
How did being part of the gym impact you—mentally, physically, or emotionally?
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Being a part of the gym impacted me a lot, most importantly being the amazing team of coaches and people who were there to always support me. It helped me Mentally, helping me focus, giving me a way to get rid of stress or anger I would get in everyday life. Emotionally, it gave me confidence from a team of people who pushed and gave it their best supporting me and others.
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What did you learn through boxing that helped you in everyday life?
Boxing gave me a form of consistency helping me get up every day to go to the gym and school to train or learn. Boxing helped a lot with self-control keeping emotions under control which helped a lot when socializing or making tough decisions and keeping focused
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What do you think was the biggest positive change or benefit you gained from training with your Coach?
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The biggest change for me would be mentally before boxing. I was often mad or sad arguing with people and making bad decisions. But training with my coach helped me a lot being with such a nice and supportive person that made me feel accepted and happy, he helped me to communicate and listen.
Was there a particular Life Value that stuck with you (you can use the current life values from the passport, or one of the new values listed at the bottom of this page)?
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Grace would be the Life Value that stuck with me the most (Grace – Staying calm under pressure, Strength under control). For me boxing was a way to relieve pressure and anger, through that I started to become a calmer and nicer person. It helped with making new friends and having good relationships, helped me in school without getting in trouble. Completing assignments from the help I would start to get, that I use to deny by thinking I didn’t need.
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What was your 2 highest achievements in Boxing or achievement during your time in the Gym/Academy?
My 2 personal highest achievements would be when I became the South Island Golden Gloves champion. The other highest achievement would be when I got 200 doubles skips with a skipping rope in a row at the gym, beating everyone from my class as well as beating every student in Juniors (next class up) but Quinton. His best was 201 double skips at the time.
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Where are you now, and how did boxing, your Coach or your Academy play a role in getting there?
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I am now in my second year of high school just completing my junior exams and starting learning MMA. We unfortunately relocated and live too far away to attend Boxing. The gym helped me in every way, it changed me as a person for the better. Even though it’s a sport it still helped me with school and my social life.
What would you say to someone thinking about joining, or to a sponsor considering supporting the gym?
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For someone thinking about joining the gym I would say to give it a go as there are no downsides. If there is a chance that you stick with it you might become a great boxer or just enjoy it for the fitness or maybe you don’t enjoy it but at least you’ve tried it.
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What was your favourite part of training at the gym.
There are many favourite parts of my time at the gym but the best times would be the road trips. Like when our team went all the way to Nelson, a 7 hour drive to compete at the South Island Golden Gloves tournament. Or all the times we drove to Christchurch for our tournaments and on the way back having good conversations and getting McDonalds for dinner.​
Coach Comments:
Dylan joined our Academy at just 9 years old—not with the intention of becoming a competitive boxer, but simply to make friends and have fun. He was full of energy, joy, and curiosity, and from day one, brought a contagious spirit into the gym. But as time went on, something remarkable began to unfold. Dylan didn’t just enjoy training—he excelled. He began developing outstanding boxing skills, consistently outclassing boys much older and bigger than him. His love for challenge pushed him to the front of his class in nearly every training drill, and his physical feats were nothing short of extraordinary. At just 10 years old, Dylan held one of the highest push-up counts in the entire gym, completing 70 consecutive press-ups in a single go.
Yet, as impressive as Dylan was physically, what left the greatest impression on me—and those around him—was his personality. Every time he walked through the doors of our gym, he brought joy, laughter, and genuine connection. He had a way of making everyone feel included and uplifted, and it was clear that his presence inspired more than just athletic excellence.
To this day, Dylan’s records still stand as the highest for his age group: 200 consecutive double-unders in skipping, 70 consecutive push-ups, and 43 completed lines on our ring swings obstacle course. Years after he’s moved on, his legacy remains—a reminder that greatness isn’t just about performance in the ring, but about the impact we leave on the people around us. Dylan was, and still is, an inspiration—not only for his talent, but for the heart and joy he brought into every training session.