History Making Huni Turns His Sights to Gold Coast 2018

17-year-old Australian boxer Justis Huni has returned to Australia a gold medallist and Youth World Champion, but the enormity of his achievements are yet to fully sink in for the Queensland teenager.

But for those in the know, Huni’s success was never in doubt. The three-time Golden Gloves champion and four-time Australian champion had already shown the determination needed to succeed at the top level.

In 2015, Huni broke his ankle on the eve of attending an important boxing camp in Thailand. He decided to go along anyway.

“I gained a wealth of experience despite the injury,” he said.

And this week the pain of that broken ankle seemed inconsequential, when Huni became the first Australian to ever win a world youth title.

He outclassed highly-rated Georgian, Giorgi Tchigladze, in the final of the super-heavyweight at the Youth World Championships in St Petersburg, Russia.

“I felt like I was on top of the world when my hand was raised and my name was called out,” Huni said.

“I can't even describe how happy I was. I will never forget that moment, as it was a very emotional experience.

“All the hard work I put in to get to that very moment all paid off, and it was all worth it, every bit of it.”

Huni, who is coached in Logan by his father, Rocki, and Mark Wilson, beat athletes from some of the best boxing nations in the world on his way to the gold medal, including American Richard Torrez in a hard-fought semi-final.

He also outclassed boxers from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Armenia. Huni said he had a point to prove and felt confident before the Championships that he could go all the way.

“I was feeling nervous heading into the finals, but I knew I had the ability to win the fight,” he said.

 “I took it all in as positive energy and told myself that I could do this. Hopefully this result can help me get sponsorship to help financially.

“This result has also given me the opportunity to be recognized, not only all over Australia, but worldwide for my talent, hard work and dedication in the sport of boxing.”

Huni has good boxing pedigree, with his Uncle, George, and cousin, Hone, both accomplished boxers and strong influences on Justis’s career, which started when he was just six years’ old.

His next major boxing goal won’t require him travelling half-way around the world. He hopes to be heading just down the road to compete at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and has also set his sights on the Olympics, possible as early as Tokyo 2020.