Friday, March 29, 2024

Boxers win state Junior Olympics, regionals next

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.

Submitted
Mariah Bahe and James Bahe captured the 2018 Arizona State Junior Olympics titles in their respective divisions. Both athletes qualified for the Four Corners Regional Championship, which is set for May 26-27 in Albuquerque.

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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About The Author

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi

Sunnie Clahchischiligi has been the sports writer for the Navajo Times since 2008. She has a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico. Before joining the Times, she worked at the St. Cloud Times (Minn.), the Albuquerque Journal, the Santa Fe New Mexican, Sports Illustrated Magazine in New York City and the Salt Lake Tribune. She can be reached at sunnie@navajotimes.com or via cell at (505) 686-0769.

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