Destined to SOAR.
This interview series is aimed at celebrating, recognising and promoting the incredible talent and ferocious courage of our young teens
Let's recognise the magnificent effort of teens' in sport across all codes!
Today our interview is with, Kiwi boxing family - John (dad) and his children Adam 11, Ava 8 & Amila 6. Soar Active had the privilege to catch up and chat about their love of Boxing.
1. Ibrahim family, tell us about your early lives as a family?
John: We had Adam as young parents with no support, I’ve always been a barber and my wife has been a stay-at-home mum with the kids. When Adam started school we had some issues with bullying, the school had no solution so I decided to start training him in boxing so he could defend himself against bullies.
2. So how did you all discover boxing?
John: I’ve always had an interest / passion for boxing and trained for a while myself. Growing up I wasn’t allowed to box, so I started as an adult. I started training Adam for self-defence originally.
3. What was your next step?
John: As Adam improved my younger girls started wanting to join in and I could see he would benefit from having some training partners. We stepped up our training and Ava and Amila involved. We then added cardio and sparring to our training so we had all the bases covered.
4. How do you balance boxing and managing school?
Ibrahim family: We try to train 5 days a week and the kids also go for runs after school, if we get home and their exhausted, we’ll have a rest day and get back into it the next day. We also make sure to catchup on training we’ve missed over the weekend.
5. What do you all do in your downtime?
Ibrahim family: We spend most weekends hiking and finding new nature trails. The kids like to spend their spare time with their friends as-well.
6. What makes you feel happy, brave, and strong?
Adam: Boxing.
Ava: Boxing and running.
Amila: Play fighting with my brother & sister.
7. Tell us about a special moment in the last year?
Adam: Breaking my athletics club record for Shot Put & discus
Ava: Winning my Cross country
Amila: getting third place in my first cross country.
8. What is your ultimate goal?
Ibrahim family: we’d love to own a boxing gym one day, with our own team of fighters. Would love to see my kids pursue boxing and become world champs.
9. What's your favourite attribute about yourself?
Adam: my boxing & strength
Ava: everything
Amila: everything
10. Favourite song on repeat right now?
Adam: I don’t listen to music
Ava: I don’t listen to music
Amila: Alicia Keys This girl is on fire
11. What has boxing taught you about life?
Ibrahim family: To never give up, no matter how hard things get - push through adversities. For my kids they have gained a lot of self-confidence and discipline - they’ve really learnt to believe in themselves and trust themselves/ their skills.
12. Who inspires you right now?
Adam: Gervonta Davis & Mike Tyson in his prime
Ava: Ryan Garcia
Amila: Ryan Garcia
13. What would you say to other young teens about following their dreams?
Ibrahim family: Never give up, never doubt yourself and always give your all. Try your hardest in everything you do and eliminate self-doubt. Motivation, hard work and dedication will get you far. Everyone starts at the bottom
Follow the Ibrahim's journey on Instagram
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