Toowoomba brothers strike gold

AUSTRALIAN title victories cap big year for Toowoomba boxing brothers.

BOXING : Toowoomba's Va'a family and their supporters are in double celebration mode after two teenage brothers pulled off a unique achievement at the weekend.

Fifteen-year-old Xavier Va'a and younger brother De La Salle rounded off a perfect year in the ring when both claimed gold medal victories at the Australian championships on the Gold Coast.

Their victories completed a clean sweep of 2019 titles for both boys who were also successful at this year's Australian Golden Gloves and Queensland amateurs.

TGW & Smithy's Gym trainer Brendon Smith who prepares 115kg Xavier and 108kg De La Salle in unison with Corban Kanaveilomani said the wins were among the most well deserved he has seen.

"This is a wonderful story for the boys, their families, our gym, their teammates and the sport of boxing in Toowoomba," Smith said.

"These boys are not just champions in the ring they are also champions out of it..

"Both are outstanding role models and this success is a just reward for them.

"For almost three years their mother and father travelled in from Dalby every day with them for training.

"Nothing comes easy.

"This family made a lot of sacrifices to achieve what they have and it's so well deserved."

The brothers have also represented Queensland at rugby league.

"What they have achieved is unique, Smith said.

"To have two brothers win Australian titles at the same tournament is not something you see everyday.

"They have a real will to win and that completes a clean sweep of 2019 titles for them.

"Corb has done an incredible job to help get them where they are and everyone in the gym has been behind them."

The brothers will now break from competition before next March's City versus Country tournament at Rumours while Xavier is on a youth world championship path after this year winning both the junior and youth Australian Golden Gloves.

"They are finished competition for the year but I walked into the gym yesterday and both were back ready to train and stay in shape," Smith said.

# THE Va'a brothers will be introduced to the crowd during a special presentation on Saturday night's TGW & Smithy Bring The Big Fights 24 card at Rumours International.