Pan Am boxers strike gold in Alberta

Exchange District

Winnipeg

Fighters from Winnipeg’s Pan Am Boxing Club posted a strong showing at Boxing Canada’s recent 2026 Canada Cup and U17/U19/U23 national championships in Calgary.

The competition left Dylan Martin, Pan Am’s head coach and manager, excited about what the future holds

Damir Kudosov captured gold in the U19 65-kilogram class. Normally a member of Selkirk’s Maulers Boxing Club, he also trained with Pan Am in the months leading up to the Calgary event. A Ukrainian newcomer to Canada, Kudosov has quickly taken to the sport.

“He did amazing,” Martin said. “He had a great win in the quarter-finals and an extremely challenging fight in the semifinals. He lost focus and got hurt in the first round but came back to win. In the finals, Damir stopped his opponent in the first round.”

It was redemption for Kudosov, who had lost to Calgary’s Sonny Meredith, his opponent in the final, earlier this year. While a first-round stoppage is rare, Martin credited Kudosov for knowing his opponent, who is a notorious slow starter. Kudosov, who normally comes out quickly, landed some well-placed shots.

“It wasn’t luck,” Martin added. “He trained for it and showed up when he needed to show up.”

Kudosov also learned from his semifinal comeback. After taking an early knee, Kudosov knew what he had to do before the end of the third and final round.

“His response was perfect; he attacked,” Martin said.

Pan Am’s Victor Cheung took gold in the U23 50 kilogram class. Martin said he faced two tough opponents, beginning with former national champion Elijah Aspilla of Ontario in the semifinals.

In the finals, Cheung faced Quebec’s Alexis Montoya. While Cheung had to overcome Aspilla and make weight each day of the tournament, Montoya had a bye and only had to make weight on the day of the bout.

Cheung and Aspilla have fought before, with Cheung earning decisive victories. While there were momentary losses of focus, the 2025 U19 national champion won a 3-2 decision

“He showed what a champion is made of,” Martin said. “Victor was youth champion. He fought up (against older competition) and won gold at U23, which is huge. It’s a big step that will bring him more opportunities.”

The gold medals continued when Priyanka Dhillon earned gold in the Canada Cup women’s 48 kilogram elite open category, with a 5-0 victory over Ontario’s Ruby Minhas.

Other Pan Am team members gained valuable experience. Competing as one of the youngest entrants in U23, Jerzy Gallinger earned a 3-2 quarter-finals win at 55 kilograms. However, he was on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision against a much older Ontario opponent in the semifinals, but still won a bronze medal.

“We fought hard and we thought we won,” Martin said. “It was a 3-2 loss. It was a tough division, with 12 people.”

Other Pan Am members making the trip included Ripanpreet Singh, who competed in the Canada Cup 60 kilogram elite open, and Stefan Mezibroski, who was in the men’s 65 kilogram Canada Cup Elite Open. Mezibroski also did a para boxing demonstration.

Zachery Geswein was in his first year at U19. Competing at 65 kg, he lost a controversial, 3-2 split decision.

“His opponent’s coach came up to me after said they didn’t win that fight,” Martin said. “They basically apologized for winning it.”

In addition, Josh Okocha won silver in the men’s 75 kilogram youth novice Canada Cup.