The wins mark her as the best under-18 female boxer in Australia and New Zealand and she is now seeking elite female boxers on both sides of the Tasman to improve her skills.
Te Tomo started boxing when she was eight years old with Wairoa Boxing Club coach Jamie Cox. She always had fighting spirit and enjoyed the action of the ring. Te Tomo lives in Wellington and trains up to three times a day.
She follows a regime that includes strength conditioning, skill work with her boxing coach Herbert Nelson, and hill running to keep up her fitness levels.
She has a strict nutrition plan leading up to her fights to permit her to fight in the lightweight 60-kilogram division.
Fearsome reputationTe Tomo’s koro Vernon Winitana said she has such a “fearsome reputation” that no one in New Zealand wants to fight her so they travel overseas for fights.
Te Tomo trained with Cox in Wairoa for around five years before going on to train at a higher level.
Cox started the local boxing club around 12 years ago and has mentored young boxers from around the district.
The original club was based as Lambton Square, before moving to the Clyde Domain and they also held club sessions at Lake Waikaremoana.
The Te Tomo whanau have had numerous members train under Cox and Te Tomo’s brother, Tuhoe was the first official competitor for the Wairoa club.
Cox said to be a nationally-recognised boxer you need to learn to box between the ages of three to five years.
“Boxing requires discipline and commitment.”
Adrenaline pumping before a fightCox said Te Tomo had a natural talent right from the beginning, and she gets her adrenaline pumping before fights.
“Some boxers prepare by visualising what moves they’re going to make, but I like to physically move around and act out the moves I plan to make,” she said.
Winitana said his granddaughter had already made her mark in New Zealand boxing history. In 2014 Te Tomo was selected to represent New Zealand at the AIBA World Junior and Youth Championships in Bulgaria where she won a bronze medal in her division.
“In all world championships New Zealand has only won four medals, I think in total and Ati has collected one of those four.
“She is a great role model for young people in the Wairoa’s of New Zealand,” Winitana said.
Te Tomo hopes to compete at international levels and qualify for the stage at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
She said boxing gives her confidence and discipline in her everyday life.
“People say it can get lonely in the ring but I feel it makes me stronger. I think about my whanau and all the support around me and I take it into the ring with me.
“The skills I have learned and the support I have keeps me safe.”
Te Tomo said it all helps her get back in the ring and show them what she’s made of.
