Local boxer heads to international Francophone competition

Justin Bonhomme, of Sudbury's Top Glove Boxing Academy, will represent Canada and Sudbury at the Francophone Games in Beirut, Lebanon, beginning Sept. 27. He earned the spot after winning the final team selection event in February in Edmonton.

This will be the young boxer's first major boxing event, under the direction of national team coach and head coach of the Top Glove Boxing Academy and Youth Centre, Gordon Apolloni.

Bonhomme, a Laurentian University student in kineisiology, is well-prepared for the task — Apolloni has made this preparation for the games an intensive one, a press release stated. The boxer has also been taking direction from the national team sport psychologist and Sudbury resident Robert Schienke.

“I am looking forward to my first bout (at the Francophone Games,” Bonhomme said. “I am fortunate to have been prepared for the event with such knowledge and expertise from Gord And Rob. They have been to every major games and have experienced everything there is to know. Both have shared this with me and assisted me in my preparation and readiness for this challenge.”

Bonhomme will continue to train in Sudbury until Thursday, when he departs for Biruit, Lebanon. Bonhomme is the first boxer from Sudbury who will compete at these games.