 CHINLE,
Ariz. - Dougald Yazzie, a 16-year-old, 189-pound boxer,
has a lot to be proud of.
Yazzie,
a member of his father Douglas's boxing club in Chinle,
finished 1-1, garnering a bronze medal at the 2003 National
Junior Olympics Boxing Championships in Alexandria, La.
Top boxers from throughout the United States competed for
national honors at the Louisiana event.
Yazzie, who has 55 bouts under his belt, began his boxing
career at age nine. Yazzie became a serious boxer three years
ago, striving to become one of the best.
"I
competed against the best fighters in the 50 states at the
junior olympics in Louisiana," Yazzie said. "It's
always tough and there are so many talented boxers at the
national level. I held my own and did the best I could."
Yazzie added, "It was a dream to compete in the nationals.
I competed for my father's boxing team, Yazzie's Boxing Club.
I represented my family, Yazzie's Boxing Club, the Navajo
Nation, the state of Arizona and my region. I always wanted
to compete in a national tournament."
Yazzie captured first place at the state championships. He
won both bouts when the referee stopped the fights. The referee
stopped the bout in the first round of his first fight. Yazzie
dominated his opponent in his second match. The referee stopped
the bout in the third round.
"I
felt pretty confident, because when I fought I was in excellent
shape," Yazzie noted. "I trained hard and work hard
with my conditioning."
Yazzie's next stop was in the regional championships.
Anticipating a tough match, Yazzie prepared himself against
the best.
Yazzie won his only scheduled bout, capturing the regional
championship outright. Yazzie won when the referee stopped
the fight in the third round.
"It
was a tough bout," Yazzie said about his regional championship
victory. "I was in good shape. I worked hard to get where
I am. I landed some good punches. The referee stopped the
fight in the third round. I felt good and I was in best shape
and conditioning."
With state and regional championships in hand, Yazzie qualified
for the national championships. Yazzie won his first bout
at the national meet, stopping his opponent in the third round.
Yazzie lost in a decision during his next match.
"I
was disappointed that I didn't win, but I felt good at the
same time," Yazzie noted. "I won the state and regionals
and I qualified for the nationals. Not everyone qualifies
for the nationals. I lost by decision. I did the best I could.
On that day, my opponent was the best."
Yazzie says he is preparing for the prestigious Gene Lewis
Boxing Tournament in Mesa in November.
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