Jonathan Quinit wins gold, aims for Olympics

Jonathan Quinit in a 2010 bout

Winnipeg boxer Jonathan Quinit took home a gold medal from the 2012 Canadian National Senior Elite Championships in Membertou, Nova Scotia on Saturday, January 14. He defeated Emilien Boucher of Quebec on points in the Men’s Light Fly category (49 kg).

Quinit who, until recently, was studying business in university and working with the elderly in residential care, told the Pilipino Express, “this tournament felt really good,” but added that his busy life made it difficult to train.

“I was working, going to school and training and I couldn’t do all three and so I decided to stop school." Quinit said that he now plans to devote his full attention to his training.

“Jon is a ridiculously talented boxer,” said Ryan Savage, head coach of the Manitoba Team and founder of the United Boxing Club in Winnipeg. Quinit’s next step, according to Savage is to defend his title in Quebec at the end of February and, if successful, fight in the Olympics qualifying tournament in Brazil this May.

“What we need to do is make sure that we invest in him… to get him to his full potential, said Savage, adding, “If Jon is able to compete at a hundred per cent potential, I truly believe that he won’t just go to the Olympics but could easily win the Olympics. He’s that good.”

“I want to give it my all,” said Quinit, “because I know I have a really good chance to qualify and I’d love to represent Manitoba and Canada and the Filipino community because I’m the only Filipino on the national team.”

Three of Quinit’s fellow fighters from the United Boxing Club also competed for Manitoba in Nova Scotia. Katie Saull and Brandt Butt won Bronze while Brad Katona fought an amazing bout, said Jerry Kapustiak of Boxing Manitoba.