A moment three years in the making unfolded last Saturday on one of Canada’s biggest boxing stages.
Seventeen-year-old Damir Kudusov of Maulers Boxing Club in Selkirk stepped into the ring for the Boxing Canada 2026 Youth Open Nationals gold-medal match in Calgary against hometown favourite Sonny Meredith.
The two had met just months earlier at the Western Championships, where Meredith earned the win.
They entered Saturday’s 65-kilogram U19 bout carrying the wear and tear of back-to-back fights over the previous two days — performances that secured their spots in the final.
From the opening bell, the fighters displayed contrasting game plans.
Kudusov struck early in the first round, landing a shot that stunned the Calgary native. He followed with a body shot and pressed Meredith to the ropes. Moments later, Kudusov stood over his opponent after unleashing a lightning-fast combination, capped by a knockout punch to the head that ended the fight just one minute into the opening round.
The knockout secured Kudusov the victory in front of a crowd largely supporting the hometown fighter, as he celebrated with coach Devin Tomko — completing a three-year pursuit of national gold after earning bronze in each of the previous two years.
“I’m just happy about me making it after so many tries, so many losses and stuff,” said Kudusov. “It’s not the gold medal that matters, but me facing my mistakes, not giving up, and just keeping going — trying and making my dreams come true.”
Kudusov described the win as a team effort, crediting his supporters — especially his coach. He took up boxing three years ago after moving to Selkirk from Ukraine, where he had competed in Muay Thai.
After meeting Tomko, the two quickly formed a strong bond during Kudusov’s transition to boxing, where he adapted quickly to the new style. With his natural ability, they soon began travelling across Canada for amateur bouts.
His breakthrough came with a bronze medal at the 2024 nationals, establishing him as one of the country’s top emerging fighters.
He then fought almost monthly, compiling mostly wins while learning from occasional setbacks. Through it all, Tomko remained in his corner as both coach and mentor.
The work was tested in Friday’s semifinal, where Kudusov was knocked down by a body shot. He recovered, weathered the pressure and responded with heavy punches of his own to secure the win.
After the gold-medal victory, few were more excited than his coach.
“We’ve had so many ups and downs — a couple silver medals, a couple bronze medals, and a lot of times getting the wrong end of decisions,” said Tomko. “The fact that he stuck to his guns, stayed consistent and ignored the outside noise — it was really beautiful to see. To win a national gold medal like that is almost unheard of in this province, and in the country.”
Kudusov echoed that sentiment, saying he was happiest for his coach.
“Devin is the reason I got to win,” he said. “He was in my corner, telling me what to do. He was with me all those times I lost.”
He also thanked other coaches and fellow boxers who supported him in Calgary.
Among them was Pan Am Boxing Club’s Jersey Gallinger, who loaned his trunks to Kudusov for the final, and coach Dylan Martin, who worked alongside Tomko during training.
Kudusov said he combined Martin’s “hit-and-move” style with Tomko’s pressure-based approach in executing his gold-medal knockout.
He also adjusted his pre-fight preparation by stepping away from social media in the weeks leading up to nationals, reducing distractions and pressure.
Only close family and friends knew he was preparing for another title run.
When he won, word quickly spread back to Manitoba, where he has since returned and felt strong support from the community.
“I’m thankful to everybody who was supporting me and who was watching my fights,” he said.
Tomko said Kudusov’s next step will be representing Team Canada — an opportunity earned through his national title.
Had he fallen short, Kudusov had been considering turning professional, but that path is now on hold as he shifts focus to the national team.
