Justis Huni: Is he the man to break Australia’s Olympic Games medal boxing drought?

The trainer of super heavyweight Justis Huni believes a historic boxing Olympic gold medal is within Huni’s grasp. Huni is aiming to qualify for the Games at the Olympic boxing qualifiers for Asia and Oceania late this month and early March.

The trainer of super heavyweight Justis Huni believes a historic boxing Olympic Games gold medal is within Huni’s grasp this year.

Huni is aiming to qualify for the Tokyo Games at the Olympic boxing qualifiers for Asia and Oceania to be staged in Jordan during February and early March.

The Sunnybank Hills resident, ranked No. 3 in the world in his division, must finish in the top four to gain automatic Olympic Games selection.

There is a second competition in May should he fail to make the semi-finals in Jordan, but trainer Mark Wilson was expecting Huni to qualify at the first attempt.

Justis Huni in the blue fighting in action.

“We are going to qualify in Jordan,’’ said Wilson, who is part of the Australian coaching team headed by Kevin Smith.

Wilson has had Huni in his stable since, as a 10-year-old, he followed his big brother to Wilson’s Bethania Boxing Club facility.

“His older brother was a very good fighter, but he had a break and decided not to get back into it.

Olympic boxing prospect Justis Huni Pic Annette Dew

“But when Justis was 15 he was given a choice – go back to school (at Sunnybank Hills State School) or be a boxer. And he wanted to be a boxer,’’ Wilson said of the youth world championship bronze medallist.

“He is dedicated and is getting the rewards to go with it. He is very good to train, respectful and comes from a very good family.’’

Justis Huni from Mark Wilson’s Bethania Boxing Club. Pic Annette Dew

Such is his talent, Wilson had no problem in saying he was a potential Olympic gold medallist. Australia has never won an Olympic gold medal and the last medal won by a boxer wearing green and gold pants was Spike Cheney (silver, 1988).

Wilson said it was a bonus for both him and Huni that he was also a coach on the Australian team.

“He has fought with me and fought without me, but for the last 18 months, I have been with him for all of his fights,’’ Wilson said.

FAST FACTS

+ Youth World Champion

+ multiple golden gloves and Australian champion

+ 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships gold medallist

+ Sunnybank Hills raise, he was a promising rugby league junior before deciding to concentrate on boxing