By Sarah Tone, Communications Coordinator

Team Toba’s boxing team is represented at this year’s 2023 Canada Games by Dana Warnett in the 67.5kg category and Travis Thakoor in the 75kg category. Both boxers are 17 years old and will be graduating high school this year. Dana will graduate from Dakota Collegiate and Travis from West Kildonan Collegiate. This is their first experience on a national stage and both are impressed with the Athlete’s Village on campus at the University of Prince Edward Island as well as the boxing venue at the Credit Union Place in Summerside, PEI.

Neither of them has ever competed in front of this big of a crowd.

So what’s their background and how did they get here?

Dana currently trains at CFC in Winnipeg and has been boxing since he was 11. He comes into these Canada Games with 11 previous fights. His boxing highlight prior to the Games was winning a fight in 2022 at Stony Mountain by a stoppage due to body blows. When Dana was younger, his parents wanted him to be active so he played soccer and hockey but fell out of love with them and then turned to boxing.

Dana is inspired by his dad, uncle, and coach because they all lead by example and are very motivating. When Dana’s dad was a kid, he was involved in Jujitsu and Kick-Boxing, so now, the two are able to bond through that connection. Dana’s mom is not as excited about him boxing – but happy and proud he has found something he loves.

Dana’s advice to any young person interested in trying boxing, is to be aware of the risks and to be sure it’s something they want to do. Once they choose to box it can open doors like being able to compete in the Canada Games. Beyond the physical skills, fitness and strategies of boxing, Dana has also learned life skills like respect and being humble.

Coming into the Canada Games, Dana’s goal was to win gold but after losing his first fight he is re-focusing and preparing to fight for the bronze medal.

After the Games, Dana will focus on school and graduation, and hang with friends while getting ready for university. And yes he will continue to box.

Travis began boxing at age 11 and currently trains at Pan Am Boxing in Winnipeg. He’s entering the Games with 14 previous fights. Before the Games, his career highlight was winning a silver medal at the Brampton Cup in 2020.

Travis is a multi-sport athlete as he also plays football for West Kildonan Collegiate and the U18 Team Manitoba football program, soccer, and lacrosse. Many days he has two or three training sessions and pushes his body to the limit. His class schedule at school -with a number of spares – allows him to get his schoolwork done as well. While boxing is Travis’s first love, he is considering an offer from a Canadian University to play U-Sport football.

Travis’s interest in boxing is the result of his grandpa being a boxer, and so when he was younger he wanted to give it a try and fell in love with the sport. He is inspired by his older brother as he is a role model and provides direction.

Travis’s advice to any young person thinking about boxing would be to just go for it. You never know until you try.

When asked what his expectations or goals were for this week, Travis said he knew he would need to work and fight hard as any success won’t come easy.

Travis’s takeaways from boxing beyond the skills and fitness are that it helps keep you composed and self-confident and makes you a better person.

When Travis returns home he will continue to box in addition to seeing where his football takes him.