YOUNG Kilmore boxer Nate Long has returned home an Australian champion for a second time, after putting in the fight of his life to win the 52kg weight division in the Australian Schools Championships.
Nate had to fight back from behind in the final against New South Welshman Tyson Adams but put in a thrilling final round to win on points, with three of the five judges agreeing that Nate had outscored his opponent.
The result means Nate adds to his 2023 title, where he was the 42kg champion.
Father, Matt, said it was a testament to his workrate that Nate continues to get the results.
“I’m filled with pride. His workrate is phenomenal and unquestionable. He runs up Monument Hill two times a week, 10 kilometres with a weighted vest. These are things outside of the gym itself, they’re above and beyond. You don’t really see kids doing that,” he said.
“His fights are interstate, as his position means we don’t get fights in Victoria. So, we travel to Adelaide, Sydney, Queensland, Tasmania, he even went to Fiji earlier this year with the Victorian team. It’s a big commitment.”
It’s a position that is also reflected by Victorian and Australian coach Marcos Amado.
“Nate is far past his years as far as his boxing brain and his ability. He’s extremely good at adapting and making the required changes which was on display in the final. He had to win the last round on all five cards, and he did exactly that,” he said.
Matt, talking about that final round, said it was the best Nate’s ever boxed in his young career.
“In my opinion, it was the best round of boxing he’s had in his life. He left nothing there and convinced five judges he was the best in Australia. It was amazing,” he said.
Mr Amado said there was plenty to work with for Nate’s emerging boxing career, particularly around his discipline to get the best out of himself.
“He fought a boy he had lost to previously, so there is that mental challenge, he took it all in his stride, dug deep and fought as well as he possibly could have to come away with the gold medal,” he said.
“His commitment shows. As most athletes in sport do, they hit hurdles. He hasn’t won every fight he’s had, neither has he expected to win every fight. But what Nate does really well is he takes the positives over the negatives, learns and grows from them.
“In Darwin, when he had to put it together, there is a saying in boxing, it only counts when it counts and he put it together when it counted, and it shows incredible maturity in the ring, to put everything to the side, focus on what’s in front of you, make the adjustments and make changes on the fly to come away with the victory.
“He has all the character traits of an extremely successful elite athlete. One of the big things is transitioning from schoolboy to junior, junior to youth and youth to elite. You aren’t elite until you’re 19 and he still has a fair few years before that. But with his dedication, work ethic and the boxing brain he’s formed at an early age, the only ceiling is the one he sets on himself.
“He prepares meticulously, and he was on and engaged from the moment we got off the plane. He knew what he was there for. We had training sessions in the morning, relaxed, recovered, went to the stadium to support his teammates, rest when he needed to rest, he did everything. It wasn’t by chance or by coincidence.”
Matt offered an insight into Nate’s work ethic.
“He gets the best out of his body, not just with his boxing training, he does his own personal training. Once a week, we go to Shepparton as he has a PT there that looks after him. We’re proud of his commitment and he has a lot of sponsors who have helped him with the cost of the travel that he does. He’s made a big name for himself as a 15-year-old,” he said.
“The Kilmore Hub helps out, the Kilmore Wellness Centre, Service Plus Towing in Kilmore all help out, as well as The Bull Coaching and Fitness in Shepparton.
“To do what he’s done, it’s not a common sport or a popular sport, but it’s one that takes everything. There’s no off-season or pre-season, it’s always-season. The support he’s had from our town, it’s been a really good story.”