A Chilliwack boxer is representing B.C. at the national elite championships in Ontario this week.
Oliver Kladnik has been selected to represent Team BC at the 2024 Elite and U23 Boxing National Championships in Sarnia, Ontario. The prestigious event, scheduled for Nov. 19-23, will bring together Canada's top boxing talent to compete for spots on the national team.
Kladnik, a 32-year-old boxer with more than 14 years of competitive experience, will be competing in the 85-kilogram male elite division. His selection to Team BC comes after a recent victory at the North American King of The Ring Tournament in Chilliwack, where he claimed gold in the 80-kilogram division.
"I'm honoured to represent British Columbia at the Elite Boxing Nationals," said Kladnik. "This tournament is a crucial stepping stone for athletes aiming to compete on the world stage, and I'm excited to showcase the skills I've honed over my career."
Kladnik's journey in boxing began at the age of 18 in Toronto. Since then, he has amassed an impressive record of 38 bouts, both domestically and internationally. In 2019, he moved to British Columbia, where he trained at Chilliwack Boxing Club and Abbotsford Boxing Club under head coach Dale Gatin.
Currently, Kladnik operates his own private gym, Kladnik KO Fitness & Boxing, in Chilliwack. There, he shares his passion for boxing and fitness, coaching both young and seasoned athletes.
The 2024 Elite Boxing Nationals, hosted by Bluewater Boxing Club in partnership with the Sarnia-Lambton Tourism Board, Boxing Ontario, and Boxing Canada, marks a significant milestone in Kladnik's career. Following an online draw, Kladnik secured a bye in the preliminaries and will face the winner of
Quebec's Matthieu Konga vs Ontario's Isiah Flood in the quarter-finals on Nov. 21.
Boxing BC head coach Jesse Pineiro welcomed Kladnik to the provincial team in October, recognizing his potential to excel at the national level.
As Kladnik prepares for this important competition, he continues to balance his training with running his fitness business. Kladnik KO Fitness & Boxing, established in 2024, offers private and small group boxing lessons, catering to beginners, competitive athletes, and fitness enthusiasts alike.
For more on Team B.C., go to boxingbc.ca/high-performance-team. For more on the nationals, go to boxingontario.com/event/nationals-2024-elite-and-u23-canadian-championships.
