Boxers win state Junior Olympics, regionals next

FRUITLAND, N.M.

When Mariah Bahe and James Bahe step into the boxing ring, they’re never alone.

The duo from the Damon-Bahe Boxing team out of Chinle uses memories of idols and late family members to motivate them as they work toward national competition.

Earlier this month, the two won the 2018 Arizona State Junior Olympics and qualified for the Four Corners Regional Championships in Albuquerque, which will be held May 26 to 27.

Their coach, John Bahe Jr., said the two – who are also his children – are motivated by family who have passed on and were also boxers.

“We lost a former boxer, one of James’ cousins,” John said. “He was a really an accomplished boxer. Him and James were kind of close, they were really good partners for one another.

“A big motivation for Mariah was her late aunt, who was also a boxer, that was my late sister,” he said. “That kind of pushed her and I still see it today.”

Mariah Bahe, 15,earned her second straight state title after going unopposed in the championships.

She moved up a weight classification this past year from 85 to 90 pounds.

Because she was unopposed, she automatically won her division.

In an effort to make the most of the situation, Mariah fought in a show bout with a familiar opponent, who was in the 85-pound weight class. Mariah Bahe fell short in three rounds.

“We have previously fought seven times,” she said. “In the first round we were just getting to know each other’s style again. In the second round we just went at it and figured each other out. In the third round we went at it again.”

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