Olympic Athlete Starts Boxing Class

by Klay Coyle

A local Olympic boxer has started an exercise boxing class here in Windsor.

Andrew Singh Kooner is a two time Olympic boxer for Canada. He currently holds the champion title for the Canadian bantamweight division. Kooner said he started boxing when he was 13 because he was bullied a lot as a child. Boxing became his passion, keeping him active and healthy.

In the summer of 2000 Kooner went to his first Olympic games in Sydney, Australia.

“It’s the greatest honour,” said Kooner, “In Sydney, there was like 100,000 fans and you walk into the stadium with the Canadian colours and your whole country is watching back home. It was just pretty overwhelming.”

After all his success in the pro boxing circuit Kooner wanted to give back. He decided to start his own boxing class. Kooner’s class, called Box FIT, is a cardio and boxing class that focuses on high intensity workouts.

Kooner said he loves to interact with his students.

“I like the classes I teach here at this gym. I try to talk to my students and motivate them with things that motivated me when I was growing up,” said Kooner. “I kind of use what worked with me, I try to make it work with them, and it does.”

Mary Dawalibi, 22, is a regular student at Box FIT. Dawalibi said she was addicted to the class after coming once. Kooner is a big inspiration for Dawalibi and said he helps out a lot.

“He is always there by your side telling you to push harder, that you can do it, you’re stronger than your own body and it really helps,” said Dawalibi.

All that is required to participate in the Box FIT class is a membership to Lifestyles Family Fitness. There are classes Monday to Friday at 7:30 p.m.

For anyone looking to get fit Kooner had some words of advice.

“I always say, hard work and dedication, the two combined, with that you can persevere in anything you do.”