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/DandenongJournal
Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
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Hazara aims big By Sahar Foladi From a young boy who started boxing at the age of 13, ‘The Destroyer’ Asif Hazara now has big plans for Greater Dandenong. Mr Hazara secured an impressive victory in international boxing’s super flyweight 52kg category in Melbourne on Friday 16 June. The Asia Pacific WBL champion from Pakistan triumphed over his Thai opponent with a knockout blow that left him unable to continue the fight. Humbled by every win, Mr Hazara said it’s an honour for him to represent his country and community he hailed from. “God gave me this position to represent my community and country, I am also thankful to all my family, friends and coach who’ve supported me in my journey. “I was waiting and training very hard every day for this fight.” Titled ‘Pakistan’s Muhammad Ali’ and ‘Pakistan’s Hero,’ congratulatory messages spread over Twitter after his win and Pakistan’s Consulate General in Melbourne also extended his congratulations. He chose to fight in Melbourne over Perth and Sydney due to its extraordinary diversity. As someone with a strong sense of community in Quetta Balochistan, he’s captivated by City of Greater Dandenong in particular and the municipality is also fascinated by him. “I go out to run in the Dandenong Park and people walk up to me to take photos and it makes me feel very proud because they’re my people, I represent them. “Dandenong is my first choice because of
its diversity. When I walk down the Afghan Bazaar, I don’t feel out of place or different, it feels like my own home city.” While his competitions see him travel all over, with a massive fan-base around the world, Dandenong remains his second home. “There’s everything related to my culture that can be found in Dandenong easily.” Now he plans to organise a boxing event in the heart of Dandenong, paving a pathway to success for young boys in the community after him. “Dandenong is my number one choice for these events because of the sense of belonging to my community. “We would love to secure a boxing event and bring in my boxing team from Pakistan, which I’ve coached, to fight here in Dandenong,” Mr Hazara said. Apart from his many significant titles, Mr Hazara is also a boxing coach in Quetta at the Yazdan Khan Boxing Club, where he also trained with his renowned coach, Captain Habibullah Jafari. “I’m thankful to my coach who taught us everything. He has created a very good positive environment for us and I will do the same for everyone else.” Mr Hazara coaches 45 members in the afternoon and 75 in the evening, however, being situated in an under-privileged area, the majority of the kids aren’t able to pay club fees. “Most families in the community are in a very dire circumstance so we fulfil the fees ourselves. Continued page 6
‘Pakistan’s Muhammad Ali’ Asif Hazara with his shining title belts. He dedicated his recent win to Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS his country, Pakistan and the Hazara community. 342757
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