The 2nd Annual South Saskatchewan Classic Really Went the Distance!
By Mallory Cawthra
On the evening of May 7th, Sandhills Boxing Club hosted the 2nd Annual South Saskatchewan Classic at the Leader Community Centre. Doors opened at 4:30 p.m. for the VIP ringside tables, a delicious supper followed at 5:00 p.m., catered by Scott’s Fine Foods, and The Leader Lion’s Club graciously tended the bar for the night. At 6:45 p.m., Sandhills Boxing Club Assistant Coach Isabelle Blohm led a demonstration and awards presentation for the Initiate Group (aged 10 and under). The young athletes put on display all of their skill development and hard work that went into their season.
At 7:00 p.m., Sandhills Boxing Club Coach Ken Blohm welcomed all the attendees and thanked everyone involved for making the event a success. The scheduled card got underway just after 7:00 p.m., and was chock full of excitement with 11 bouts in total, mainly in the junior age category, including an intermission and a 50/50 raffle draw to support the “Where in the World” Teen Travel Club in Leader. Athletes travelled from as far as Calgary, Edmonton and Prince Albert to compete. The bouts consisted of three rounds of two minutes each, and kept everyone on their toes with the athlete’s display of determination, drive and effort. The bouts were judged and officiated by ringside officials and referees from Boxing Saskatchewan; additionally, a qualified physician was in attendance ringside to ensure the safety of all athletes involved.
Isabelle Blohm commented that, “The night went really well. There were about 230 people in attendance, including coaches and their athletes. We appreciate all of the sponsors that made the night possible. Treena Redman [from Leader] took care of the lights and sounds for us and she did a great job. There were some great matches from clubs travelling from Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince Albert, and our own Town of Leader, which had two competitors this time: Willow Blohm and Ryder Bredy.”
The opening match saw Willow Blohm from Sandhills Boxing Club compete against Brynea Nicholson from Lloydminster Boxing Club in a “Fun Box” bout from the Initiate Category (aged 10 and under). Each athlete demonstrated their fitness and skill development against one another over the course of three rounds (one minute each), and both were declared winners at the end of their match as “Fun Box” focuses on fitness, fun and skill development.
All of the matches were exciting and full of energy and no one threw in the towel, no pun intended! The final match of the night saw Cole Ahenakew from the Red Wolf Boxing Club out of Prince Albert square off against Yuol Chagai from the Calgary Boxing Club. The bout kept everyone on their toes and Chagai was eventually declared the winner by split-decision from the judges. Isabelle Blohm capped it off by saying, “It was great to get out and about and to enjoy a great night of boxing!”
The 2nd Annual South Saskatchewan Classic would not have been the success that it was without the support of the many sponsors at the Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.
Photos by Mallory Cawthra
10 and under demo
Jacob Walne (red) from Medicine Hat and Ryder Bredy (blue) from the Sandhills Boxing Club
Before the event.
Isabelle Blohm, Ken Blohm and Sheldon Siewert, coaches from Sandhills Boxing Club. The girl in front is aged 10 and under competitor Willow Blohm.
The 10 and under initiate group.
