Urijah Harrington won gold in the national under-15 category at 40kg during last week’s 2024 Australian Schools Boxing Championship in Perth.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Urijah Harrington has brought the gold standard back to Goulburn Valley Boxing Academy.
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Harrington returned from the past week’s 2024 Australian Schools Boxing Championships with some shiny silverware to sing about after topping the podium in the national under-15 category at 40kg.
But the impressive part is he’s only 13.
The Year 7 Greater Shepparton Secondary College student balances his bookwork with his bagwork, but when it came to nationals, Harrington aced the test.
At the Perth-hosted event held from July 3-6, Harrington was forced to bide his time ringside for the first few days after being drawn a bye in the first round.
So he did some reconnaissance instead.
Alongside his dad Zedda, who was also part of the Victorian State Team as coach, the pair “watched like hawks” as Sunny Belsham and Marcel Tahhan, his finals counterparts, duked it out in Wednesday’s semi.
“I noticed Marcel brought more movement, better IQ and looked very strong,” Zedda said.
“It’s nationals; no-one brings nothing but their best.”
Tahhan won and, two days later, it was Harrington’s turn to have a crack at him.
Though still young, the pair has traded blows on two prior occasions, marking the July 5 bout as the trilogy fight.
Tahhan trains out of Parramatta’s Barotillo Gym with his trainer, Arnel Baratillo, fighting the legendary Filipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao in 2000.
He was also more experienced and older than Harrington.
But Harrington had the bit between his teeth; he wanted number three.
The teen machine switched up his stance from orthodox to southpaw to account for Tahhan and goaded his opponent forward.
Urijah Harrington toppled NSW’s Marcel Tahhan in the final to win gold in the 2024 Australian Schools Boxing Championships.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Guided by his dad, Harrington eventually fought well enough to secure the title against his NSW foe.
“It is such a rare quality scene from a boxer so young,” Zedda said
“The age group these boys are in are more so rock ’em sock ’em robots, it is extremely impressive and advanced to show the qualities Urijah brings to the ring.
“It is such a massive four days, weigh in checks, coaches meetings, training schedules, match prep, not to mention the highs and lows of the emotional roller coaster.”
It was a real family affair, as Harrington’s younger brother Izaiah made the trip west to support his sibling and see him make history as the first GVBA athlete to win a national gold.
Meanwhile, Shepparton’s other representative at the national championships fought valiantly, but was eliminated in the semi-finals.
Kallym Huffer of Resolute Gym met Queensland’s Daniel Sabelis in an evenly-keeled bout, but a tough split decision call unfortunately dashed his dreams of a finals berth.
Huffer and Harrington now turn their gaze to the Golden Gloves event held in August.
GVBA wished to indicate it has a new website with club news, book sessions with an online boxing shop also now available.
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