Canadian delegation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification Events – Boxing Canada

Canadian delegation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualification Events

Mandy Bujold

51 Kg

Caroline Veyre

57 kg

Irene Fiolek

60 kg

Myriam Da Silva

69 kg

Tammara Thibeault

75 kg

Justin Parina

52 kg

Eric Basran

56 kg (OLY: 57 kg)

Thomas Blumenfeld

64 kg (OLY: 63 kg)

Wyatt Sanford

69 kg

Jaquan Carty

75 kg

John Michael Bianco

81 kg

Bryan Colwell

91 kg

Christophe Bernier

91+ kg

51 Kg

Mandy Bujold

Club: Destiny Boxing

Coach: Syd Vanderpool

Date of birth: July 25th, 1987

Birthplace: Cobourg, Ontario

Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario

Height: 160cm (5’2″)

Weight category : 51 kg

Stance: Orthodox

NOTABLE RESULTS

2020 BOCSKAI MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT | BRONZE

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019 INTERNATIONAL BALKAN TOURNAMENT | SILVER

2017 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | SILVER

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES | TOP 5

2016 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | GOLD

2015 & 2011 PAN AM GAMES | GOLD

2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES | BRONZE

BIOGRAPHY

Mandy Bujold’s interest towards boxing started when she lived in Moncton. Her parents bought a punching bag and two sets of boxing gloves in the hopes that her brothers would hit the bag instead of each other, but Mandy decided to give it a try out of curiosity and rapidly began to enjoy boxing. When her family later moved to Kitchener, Ontario, she followed her brothers’ footsteps and joined the local boxing club as a way to get in shape. Boxing quickly became her passion!

Her Olympic dream began after she won her junior national title in 2006. That result gave her the drive to be the best and make the national team. One year later, she was the Elite national champion and also won the American Continental Championships, her first of three victories at the event. Mandy made her debut at the AIBA’s Women World Championships in 2008 and has competed at each edition of the global competition since, recording her best result in 2014 when she finished in the top eight after a quarterfinal loss to eventual silver medalist Lisa Whiteside of England.

Mandy’s career highlight is winning Gold at the 2011 Pan American Games, the first time women’s boxing was included in the multi-sport competition. She also earned another multi-sport medal in 2014 when she won Bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Now a nine-time national champion, Mandy successfully defended her Pan American title in Toronto in 2015, defeating American world #1 Marlen Esparza in final. Mandy went to earn her Olympic berth with a gold medal at the American Continental Qualifier that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina in March 2016. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Mandy finished Top 5 after a loss incurred in quarterfinals.

Beyond her career as an athlete, Mandy has been recognized by Waterloo Region as a Woman of Influence and named KW Citizen of the Year for her outstanding contribution to the community. In 2018, Mandy brought her passion for the community and boxing together as she founded a white collar charity boxing event called Champions for Charity. She is also a new mom to Kate Olympia (“KO”).

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : Bujold

FAVORITE MOTTO : ”If you can see it, you can create it. If you can feel it, you can perform it. If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.”

FAVORITE TV SHOW & MOVIE : Mindy Project and Girlfight

FAVORITE MUSIC : RnB

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Oatmeal and rice crackers with peanut butter

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Running and hiking

PLACE TO VISIT: French Polynesia

FUN FACT THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HER: She boxed in the very first fight to ever take place at a major Games at the 2011 Pan Am Games.

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : Live a passionate and well-balanced life

57 kg

Caroline Veyre

Club: INS Québec (National Training Centre)

Date of birth: October 4th, 1988

Birthplace: Paris, France

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec

Height: 167cm (5’5″)

Weight category: 57 kg

NOTABLES RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS | GOLD

AIBA WORLD RANKING (60 kg): #6

2019 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S BOXING TOURNAMENT “BALKAN” | SILVER

2019 GOLDEN GIRLS | GOLD & BEST ELITE BOXER & BEST TECHNICAL BOXER AWARDS

2018 WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS | TOP 8

2018 SILESIAN WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP | BRONZE

2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES TEAM MEMBER

2017 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | SILVER

2015 PAN AM GAMES | GOLD

2014 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS |BRONZE

2013 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | BRONZE

BIOGRAPHY

Originally from Paris, Caroline Veyre immigrated to Canada in 2003 after visiting the country a few years earlier as her mother came to Montreal for cancer treatment. She first started boxing when she was 18 years old. Throughout her teenage years, boxing allowed her to grow as a person and gain confidence as she had difficulties to express herself at the time. According to her, sports enables you to develop great qualities that you can apply to all aspects of your life, such as discipline, sense of organization, determination, confidence, perseverance and optimism in order to tackle life and forge ahead!

During her very first Canadian championships in 2009, Caroline earned the bronze medal and grabbed the silver medal at 2012 edition of the same championships. In 2013-2014, she won the National title for two consecutive years. During the same year, she also participated in her first Continental Championships where she claimed the bronze medal and also repeated her performance the following year. One of her career highlight occurred when she grabbed the gold medal during the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.

Beside her career as an athlete, Caroline also obtained her bachelor degree in translation. She plans to continue boxing for a few more years. Her dream is to participate in the Olympic Games and earn a medal. In the next few years, she would like to open her own boxing gym and become a coach.

FUN FACTS

FAVORITE MOTTO : ”It is difficult to beat someone that never quits.”

FAVORITE TV SHOW : Friends

FAMILY : She has a twin sister

FAVORITE MUSIC : Latin music

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Chicken pasta

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Playing pool and poker

PLACE TO VISIT IN HER LIFE : Brazil

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : Be an Olympian champion

FOLLOW CAROLINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

60 kg

Irene Fiolek

Club: INS Québec (National Training Centre)

Date of birth: October 12th, 1990

Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec

Height: 169cm (5’5″)

Weight category: 60 kg

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019 PAN AM GAMES | TOP 8

2019 PAN AM GAMES QUALIFIERS | BRONZE

2019 COPA INDEPENDENCIA | GOLD

2018 CANADIAN CHAMPION | GOLD

2018 DÉFI DES CHAMPIONS | GOLD

2017 GANTS DORÉS (QC) | GOLD

BIOGRAPHY

At 15 years old, Irene joined a boxing class in her local fitness center with a few friends from school. This is when and where she discovered her true passion. For three years, she only practiced boxing as a recreational hobby and in 2007, she had her first boxing bout at the chicken festival in Montmagny.

Irene was enrolled in many sports growing up. Those included athletics, judo, swimming, tennis and taekwondo. She only got attracted to boxing once she joined the boxing class at her local gym with her friends. As the classes went on, Irene and her friends were competitive with each other. Every time one would show progress, everyone else had to catch up. This was very motivating for her.

Irene has a good understanding of sports and how the human body operates. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2015.

The 2018 Canadian Champion is looking to participate in the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. Afterward, she wants to make the switch to a professional boxer.

FUN FACTS

FAVORITE TV SHOW & MOVIE : Homeland, Jackie Brown, TAXI

FAVORITE MUSIC : All genres

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Eggs in the morning

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Watching movies, cooking

PLACE TO VISIT IN HER LIFE : A beautiful place to surf, Thailand

69 kg

Myriam Da Silva

Club: INS Quebec (National Training Centre)

Date of birth: April 15, 1984

Birthplace: Chambly, Quebec

Hometown: Chambly, Quebec

Height: 178cm (5’8″)

Weight category :69 kg

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

AIBA WORLD RANKING: #7

2019 PAN AM GAMES | SILVER

2019 PAN AM GAMES QUALIFIERS | TOP 8

2018 AIBA WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS | TOP 8

2018 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP | GOLD

2016 BALKAN TOURNAMENT | BRONZE

2014 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP GUADALAJARA, MEXICO | SILVER

BIOGRAPHY

Myriam Da Silva started her athletic career in soccer. She was 10 years old when she signed up for soccer practice and by age 12, she was an elite player. She played soccer for a decade and had intentions of making the national Olympic team. Unfortunately, this was not possible due to some injuries. She wanted to change sports and signed up for a cardio-boxing class in her university. She immediately grew a liking for it, because it demanded a high level of concentration. Randomly, a boxing trainer walked into the store where she was working at the time to shop and asked her if she ever considered trying competitive boxing. At first, Myriam was hesitant. After two weeks of contemplating, she signed up at a boxing club and six months later, she made her in-ring debut.

In the beginning, boxing attracted her because of its intensity, which is something her ego needs. Also, her mother was always proud of women who accomplished unexpected things. In a newspaper, they found her current boxing coach, Danielle Bouchard, which they found to be a role model. She became serious about boxing but did not tell her parents in the beginning. She told her parents after her first Silver Gloves competition. Her love for boxing was growing at a rapid pace as aspects such as concentration, physical performance, tactics, and techniques made her want to improve. For Myriam, boxing is not a violent sport. It’s about discipline and that is what she instills to the young boxers.

Da Silva sees herself becoming an elite boxer and her dream is to compete in the Olympics. In addition to her boxing ambitions, she also has a Bachelor’s degree in school and social adaptation from UQAM.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : Mymy and Godzi

FAVORITE TV SHOW & MOVIE : Movies with inspiring stories

FAVORITE MUSIC : It depends on the mood

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Bagel with eggs and fruits

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Running, functional training, activities that take you out of your comfort zone

PLACE TO VISIT IN HER LIFE : Too many places to list them all!

FOLLOW MYRIAM ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

75 kg

Tammara Thibeault

Club: INS Québec (National Training Centre)

Date of birth: December 27th, 1996

Birthplace: St-Georges, Quebec

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec

Height: 183cm (6′)

Weight category: 75 kg

Stance: Southpaw

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 AIBA WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP | BRONZE

2019 PAN AM GAMES | SILVER

2019 PAN AM GAMES QUALIFIERS | GOLD

2019 COPA INDEPENDENCIA | GOLD

2018 WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS | TOP 8

2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES | BRONZE

2017 CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | GOLD

2017 CANADIAN CHAMPION

BIOGRAPHY

Tammara Thibeault was only 10 years old when she started boxing. Originally, it was an activity that her older brother and father were doing together for fun, but eventually, she ended up going with them on a regular basis. When her brother quit the sport, she stuck to it and never looked back since! At first, she wanted to try boxing because her father is her greatest source of inspiration and she wanted to be just like him. Over the years, she developed a true passion for the sport. She wasn’t very good at other sport and for once, she was told she had potential for her chosen combat sport, which motivated her to become the best she could be. Boxing has taught her the importance of patience, perseverance and dedication. For a long time, the boxing club was the only place where she felt comfortable enough to truly be herself, hence helping her build her confidence while growing up.

Beside her career as an athlete, Tammara obtained her CEGEP degree and she is currently completing her Bachelor in Linguistics as well as two minors in Mandarin and Spanish. Afterwards, she will pursue her Masters in Business and Administration.

She doesn’t know exactly where she will be in ten years from now, but if she could choose her future, she pictures herself traveling around the world discovering different cultures, languages and taking every opportunity that present itself. She would love to teach English, French or even Spanish in another country, preferably somewhere warm by the beach! She would also like to give back to the community and help more deprived communities in South America.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : Tamm

FAVORITE TV SHOWS : Once upon a Time, Games of thrones, Fresh prince of Bel-Air

FAVORITE MUSIC : Reggeaton, Dancehall, RnB, Hip Hop

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Chicken, vegetables and rice

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Reading, writing, dancing, running

PLACES TO VISIT IN HER LIFE : Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Spain, Greece

FUN FACT THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HER : I can sing!

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : I want to start my own international corporation

FOLLOW TAMMARA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

52 kg

Justin Parina

Club: Kombat Art Traning Academy

Coach: Sean Fulgencio &. Socrates Celestial

Date of birth: August 31, 1999

Birthplace: Manila, Philippines

Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario

Height: 162 cm (5’4″)

Weight category :52 kg

Stance: Orthodox

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019 MELEE GALA VS PHILIPPINES | WINNER

2018 LA ROMANA CUP | SILVER

2018 CANADIAN CHAMPION | GOLD

2017 – 2018 GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION | GOLD

2016 ONTARIO SUMMER YOUTH GAMES CHAMPION | GOLD

BIOGRAPHY

Justin Parina was introduced to boxing at the age of seven by his older brother who was an amateur boxer. His brother would bring him to the boxing gym occasionally. He only took his training seriously once he turned 15 years old. After being part of the junior high school football team, he was looking for another sport to engage himself into. Since boxing was a sport that he had been practicing occasionally, he decided to start training seriously and progress in it, and then decided to sign up for boxing classes with the intention of competing. In the beginning, it was hard for him to train because he was the only teenager at the club and everyone else was adults. He found the training rigorous and sparring hard because his training partners were considerably heavier than him. He even considered quitting but did not and pushed through as he did not want to quit on himself. Overall, as he experienced hardship, Justin Parina was progressing faster than the other boxers in his gym. After only six months of training, he had his first bout and finished with a 2^ndround TKO

He loves the idea of boxing being an individual sport. In his opinion, boxing is very challenging, physically but especially mentally. The boxer is his own adversary as he or she determines if you will succeed or fail. Also, boxing instilled certain values and attributes that some of his peers don’t possess. As a National athlete, he doesn’t participate in some activities as before compared to his peers. Lately, with all the international tournaments he has competed, he is realizing that the sport is becoming bigger than him because he is no longer just representing himself but now also a country and those who look up to him.

His father is his biggest inspiration because he provides for his family and loved ones outside the country while working two full-time jobs. Kobe Bryant is another influential person that Justin idolizes as he agrees with his saying “Rest at the end, not in the middle.”

What he enjoys most about being a part of the boxing National Team and fighting internationally is having the opportunity to travel to various countries and experience different cultures around the world that is united by sports. He is proud to represent Canada with the utmost pride.

Justin has big goals in mind for the future. His objectives are to earn a spot on the podium at the 2019 AIBA World Championships in Russia and at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In the next 5 to 10 years, he envisions himself having completed his education, being employed with a good salary so he can provide for his loved ones, and to inspire others. He says he will still be as obsessed over improving them as he is now.

In addition to boxing, Justin is pursing a Bachelor degree in Nursing, which he currently paused due to the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : Super Fly, JP, Pretty Boy

FAVORITE TV SHOW & MOVIE : Games of Thrones, Atlanta, The Chi, Hajime No Ippo, Spartacus

FAVORITE MUSIC : R&B and Hip-Hop

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL: Anything, preferably good tasting

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Video Games, 123movies n’ chill

PLACE TO VISIT: Visit all 195 countries in the world

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JUSTIN: He loves dogs and writes poems and sings them better than Justin Bieber and Lil Durk put together

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : To qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, put his loved ones in a comfortable financial position, inspire the next generation and give back to the less fortunate

FOLLOW JUSTIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

56 kg (OLY: 57 kg)

Eric Basran

Club: INS Quebec (National Training Centre)

Date of birth: October 19th, 1998

Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec

Height: 178cm (5’10”)

Weight category: 56 kg (Olympic: 57 kg)

Stance: Orthodox

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019 AIBA MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS | TOP 16

2019 GRAND PRIX USTI NAD LAHEM | SILVER

2017 & 2019 CANADIAN CHAMPION | GOLD

2019 COPA INDEPENDENCIA | BRONZE

2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMESS | BRONZE

2016 RINGSIDE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP | BRONZE

2015 DESERT SHOWDOWN | BRONZE

BIOGRAPHY

Eric Basran started boxing at the young age of 11. Prior to his debut, he practiced kickboxing, but he truly fell in love with boxing. Eric loves that boxing is an individual sport that is as demanding physically than mentally. He enjoy the tactical aspect that goes into the sweet science as well as the hard work that is necessary during trainings.

Eric wishes to participate in the Olympic Games before becoming a professional boxer. Beside his career as an athlete, he is currently studying in Criminology.

FUN FACTS

FAVORITE MUSIC : Rap

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL: Pasta and chicken

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Basketball & running

PLACE TO VISIT IN HIS LIFE : Cuba, India

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : I would like to go to the Olympic Games and then become a professional boxer

FOLLOW ERIC ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

64 kg (OLY: 63 kg)

Thomas Blumenfeld

Club: INS Quebec (National Training Centre)

Date of birth: December 26th, 1997 (”Boxing Day”)

Birthplace: Mansonville, Quebec

Hometown Montreal, Quebec

Height: 173 cm (5’7″)

Weight division: 64 kg (Olympic: 63 kg)

Stance: Southpaw

NOTABLES RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN CHAMPION

2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES | SILVER

2017 CELTIC CUP | GOLD & AWARDED “BEST BOXER OF THE TOURNAMENT”

2015 OLYMPIC TRIALS WINNER

2014 GOLDEN GLOVES OF VOJVODINA |BRONZE

2014 GOLDEN GLOVES OF VOJVODINA | SILVER

3-TIME USA JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPION | GOLD

BIOGRAPHY

Thomas Blumenfeld began boxing at the very young age of 8. His interest for the sport was sparked when he discovered an old pair of his father’s boxing glove. He won his first bout by TKO in the 2nd round when he was 8 years old. With a very promising start, Thomas was determined to surpass himself.

According to Thomas, boxing is much more than an individual sport; it takes the joint effort of a team to become successful. The young boxer believes he is very well surrounded in that sense and his father is a great source of inspiration in the boxing ring as well as outside the boxing world.

With already more than 100 bouts to his active in the last nine years, Thomas wishes to climb on the highest step of the podium at the Olympic Games and eventually become a professional boxer.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : ”White Lightning”

FAVORITE TV SHOWS & MOVIES : Comedies

FAVORITE MUSIC : Rap

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Pasta

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Watch basketball

PLACE TO VISIT IN HIS LIFE : Rio de Janeiro

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : (1) Become an Olympic champion (2) Become a professional boxer (3) Become a World Champion

FOLLOW THOMAS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

69 kg

Wyatt Sanford

Club: INS Québec (National Training Centre)

Date of birth: November 3rd, 1998

Birthplace: Kennetcook, Nova Scotia

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec

Height: 175cm (5’9″)

Weight category : 69 kg

Boxing stance: Southpaw

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2018 CANADIAN CHAMPION | GOLD

2017 RINGSIDE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS | GOLD

2017 HARINGEY BOX CUP | GOLD

2015 KING OF THE RING | GOLD

BIOGRAPHY

Wyatt Sanford’s interest towards boxing started at the age of 11. At the time, his best friend wanted to try a new sport. Wyatt decided to go to the boxing club with him and he has loved the sport ever since!

The skills and strategy required in boxing are some of the aspects that Wyatt enjoys about his sport. One wrong move or a second too late can make all the difference! He also loves to travel for his sport, meet new friends along the way and hear stories from his coach and other athletes in the gym. Within the next ten years, Wyatt would like to represent Canada at all Major Games, including the Olympics

Beyond his career as an athlete, Wyatt completed his High School diploma a year earlier than most and has started a double major in Criminology and Psychology at St. Mary’s University.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : Sandman

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Friends

FAVORITE MUSIC : Country music

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Chicken wrap

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Hunting and fishing

PLACE TO VISIT IN HIS LIFE : Japan and Russia

FUN FACT THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HIM: I play the guitar

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : Box for as long as I am able to and then become a RCMP officer

75 kg

Jaquan Carty

Club: Atlas Boxing Club

Coach: Armand Teodorescu

Date of birth: December 3, 1997

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Height: 180 cm (6′)

Weight category : 75 kg

Stance: Orthodox

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019 ONTARIO’S PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | GOLD

2019 BARBADOS FIGHTER | BEST BOXER

BIOGRAPHY

As a kid, Jaquan Carty was bullied in grade school and in middle school and he thought the only way to make it stop was to fight back, which made him open to the idea of combat sports. He had to rely on himself for protection and by learning how to do so, it would deter anyone else from trying. Jaquan gained confidence through fighting with older family members and friends, but it wasn’t until Jaquan was 17 years old that his father decided to officially introduce him to a boxing gym.

The two most influential people in his life are his parents. He grew up comfortably and saw how much they sacrificed and struggled for his two younger sisters and himself. His parents taught him that things don’t always go your way in life and people might try to put you down to succeed themselves or just to not see you succeed. From this life lesson, he learned to never stay down and to get back up.

Jaquan loves boxing due to the simple fact that many aspects of the sport can easily be translated to life. For example, in order to succeed, you need to train and find ways to overcome obstacles.

In the next 5 to 10 years, Jaquan pictures himself getting his first world championship belt and reaching the top tier fighters in the world. He wishes to be successful enough at anything he pursues to provide for his family and ensure a life without worries, good health and sustainable comfort.

In addition to boxing, Jaquan graduated from pre-health science and registered practical nursing at Seneca College.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : Jay

FAVORITE TV SHOW & MOVIE : Life of pi, Harry Potter, Lord of the ring

FAVORITE MUSIC : R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Video Games, cartoons, books

PLACE TO VISIT: Visit all 195 countries in the world

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : “I want to earn the respect and admiration amongst everyone who knows me, and be successful enough to set up all my loved ones in a position where they are comfortable and are not stressed about the future.”

FOLLOW JAQUAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

81 kg

John Michael Bianco

Club: Kombat Art Traning Academy

Coach: Sean Fulgencio &. Socrates Celestial

Date of birth: July 28, 1993

Birthplace: Etobicoke, Ontario

Hometown: Malton, Ontario

Height: 183 cm (6′)

Weight category : 81 kg

Stance: Orthodox

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019-2018-2017 ONTARIO GOLDEN GLOVES | GOLD

2018-2017 ONTARIO BRONZE GLOVES | GOLD

2018-2017 BRAMPTON CUP | GOLD

2017 STATE OF AMERICA GAMES | GOLD

2017 ONTARIO SILVER GLOVES | GOLD

BIOGRAPHY

John Michael Bianco is an overall an athlete and played a lot of sport during his youth and young adulthood, such as rugby, soccer, cross country, wrestling, baseball and basketball. He eventually started boxing in 2011 when he was 17 years old. Boxing had been in his life for a long time as three of his uncles trained and competed in the sport while he was growing up.

He always had a huge interest in boxing but it’s his uncle Jerome who had the biggest influence on him. He was a 6-time Canadian champion with 110 amateur bouts and had a 3-0 record as a professional boxer.

In the next 5 to 10 years, JM envisions himself firstly as an Olympian and World Champion as a professional boxer. He also plans on getting married with his current fiancé and having a family. Most importantly, he hopes to inspire youth and the generation of boxers.

In addition to boxing, John Michael graduated from Humber College in 2016 from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning program.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : JM

FAVORITE TV SHOW & MOVIE : Dragon Ball Z, Scarface, any mob movie

FAVORITE MUSIC : Rap and Hip-Hop

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL: Chicken, sweet potato and broccoli

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Basketball, reading, video games and playing with my dog

PLACE TO VISIT: Italy (all of it), Santorini in Greece and Tahiti

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JOHN MICHAEL: Ariana Grande was my first and only concert I’ve been too. I had never ate a single vegetable until I was 19 (not including potatoes)

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : I plan on travelling the world and experience as many great things as I can while being alive. Also, being the best that I can be at any career or anything in life.

FOLLOW John Michael ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

91 kg

Bryan Colwell

Club: Sooke Boxing Club

Date of birth: October 31st, 1989

Birthplace: Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia

Height: 183cm (6’2″)

Weight category: 91 kg

NOTABLES RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION WINNER

2019 PAN AM GAMES | TOP 8

2019 PAN AM GAMES QUALIFIERS | TOP 8

2019 COPA INDEPENDENCIA | GOLD

2018 – 2017 CANADIAN CHAMPION

2017 OREGON STATE GOLDEN GLOVES | GOLD

PROVINCIAL CHAMPION (BC)

GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION

BIOGRAPHY

Bryan Colwell started boxing when he was 17 years old in an attempt to get into better shape for the soccer tryouts at the University of Victoria. However, by the end of his first boxing lesson, he knew he never wanted to play soccer again and had found his true calling. Bryan always loved the sport and never missed a high profile pay-per-view fight, but growing up in Fort St John, he never had access to a gym or a coach before.

Bryan loves every aspect of the sport, including the training and dedication necessary to perform in boxing. After 12 years of playing soccer, he loved the one-on-one nature of the competition.

After becoming a gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, he plans to pursue his career in professional boxing to become a world champion as both an amateur and professional fighter. In addition to being an athlete, Bryan is currently completing a Bachelor of Business at Camosun College in Victoria with the intent of opening his own gym once he stops competing.

FUN FACTS

FAVORITE MOVIES & TV SHOWS : Vikings, Games of Thrones, Badlands and The Last Kingdom

FAVORITE TV SHOW EVER : Dragon Ball Z

FAVORITE MUSIC : Tech Nine, Five Finger Death Punch and Disturbed

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : A nutribullet smoothie, assorted fruits with a chocolate coconut Kashi bar

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : Video games, Comic books and Dungeon & Dragons

PLACES TO VISIT IN HIS LIFE : I want to see the 7 wonders of the world

FUN FACTS THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HIM : I’m terrified of heights, I hate long walks on the beach and I fall in love with every dog I see.

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : I want to become a World Champion as both an amateur and a professional fighter, I want to break the laws of physics and become a Super Saiyan.

FOLLOW BRYAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA :

91+ kg

Christophe Bernier

Club: Club BoxeMontréal.com

Date of birth: June 10, 1993

Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec

Hometown: Brossard, Quebec

Height: 201 cm (6’7″)

Weight category: 91+ kg

Stance: Orthodox

NOTABLE RESULTS

2019 CANADIAN QUALIFICATION | 2nd PLACE

2019 CANADIAN CHAMPION | GOLD

2017 BRITAIN UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIPS | GOLD

2016 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS | GOLD

BIOGRAPHY

Christophe Bernier started boxing at the age of 14. One of his good friend was registered in a boxing club and he wouldn’t stop asking his dad to sign him up. However, his dad refused because he had poor regards towards this sport.

One day when his family went skiing, Christophe unfortunately hit a younger kid and got threatened by the father who thought Christophe was much older than he was. Christophe’s father, who saw the situation unfold, realized that his son had no idea how to defend himself and it is at this moment that he decided to register him into boxing class starting the following week.

Younger, Christophe. was always looking for a sport in which he could “perform”, which can be an easy task for some but turned out to be very complicated for a disproportionate teenager who had no coordination. In High School, he couldn’t jump high enough to be good at volleyball and he thought being a soccer’s goaltender was too stressful. He then picked boxing as another sport to try out, but rapidly fell in love with his coaches and the other boxers at the club. They quickly became his family and he never wanted to leave them.

In the next ten years, Christophe would like to have the opportunity to invigorate boxing’s image as an ambassador. It’s a sport that is not always well perceived and often misunderstood by the public, and Christophe would like to be a spokesperson for boxing in Quebec and in Canada to convey a more positive image.

On the professional side, Christophe. wishes to be a well-established CEGEP ou University teacher. Beside his career as an athlete, he has always been able to balance his sport and his studies. He completed his bachelor in History at UQAM and was then recruited by Coventry University to be part of their boxing team. He then completed a Master in History in England and upon his return, completed a microprogram in post-secondary teaching in order to be as qualify as possible to be a CEGEP or University teacher.

FUN FACTS

NICKNAME : “The Teacher”

FAVORITE TV SHOW : Brooklyn nine-nine

FAVORITE MUSIC : Classical music

TYPICAL PRE-BOUT MEAL : Pasta

OTHER SPORTS & HOBBIES : basketball, reading

PLACES TO VISIT IN HIS LIFE : Russia

FUN FACTS THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT CHRISTOPHE : He knows how to do unicycle

LIFE & CAREER OBJECTIVES : Become a University teacher and qualify for the Olympic Games

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