There was double delight for Richmond boxer Lydia Stewart-McDonald at the national amateur championships in Whanganui last week.
Not only did the welterweight win gold in the elite 65kg class but she was adjudged the best female fighter at the tournament.
The 19-year-old, from Dixon’s Boxing Gym, beat familiar rival Ericka Stark in her first bout and then faced Renee Doole in the final.
Renee had previously won two youth titles at the nationals and represented New Zealand at the Oceania Champs.
That didn’t count for much on Saturday as Lydia, competing under the Te Tai Poutini banner, totally dominated the three-round bout with the Hawke’s Bay boxer.
She knocked her opponent down twice on her way to winning a unanimous points decision.
Lydia’s first defeat in her career had come at the nationals last year, making her even more determined to go all the way this time.
That took her record to 15 wins from 17 fights.
Her success in the ring follows recent acknowledgement out of it.
She received the Prime Minister’s Oranga Tamariki Award, which recognises young New Zealanders who have achieved success and demonstrated strong potential despite significant challenges or adversity.
Lydia will travel to Wellington in December to receive the accolade.
Her clubmates also fared well in Whanganui.
Ezra Luamanu reached the final of the Junior Male 80+kg division in just his eighth fight.
The teenager lost a split points decision to the more experienced Aucklander, Jireh Brown.
And Ashley Belk claimed the elite 51kg title unopposed.
