(Andrii Omelcheck/ supplied)

By Ian Gustafson

Golden again

Red Deer boxer wins gold at nationals in Quebec

Jun 4, 2025 | 11:11 AM

Red Deer’s Misha Polischuk has returned home from the 2025 Junior and Youth Canadian National Championships with a gold medal.

From the Black Rock Boxing Club, the 16-year-old also claimed gold in last years tournament in the junior C 66 kilogram category.

This time he won gold in the Junior C 70 kilogram category by unanimous decision, coming out on top in two fights at nationals in Quebec from May 28 to June 1.

“It was a great and fun experience,” he said. “I actually won it last year too… I feel like I did good but I could always do better.”

He explained it certainly didn’t come easy as he went up against some of the best boxers from across the country.

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“They train every day and have families that are rooting for them. At the end of the day, there’s only one winner and one loser but they were really tough opponents,” Polischuk said.

In order to qualify for nationals, he had to win his age and weight division at the provincial championships last month.

Originally from Ukraine, Polischuk moved to Red Deer 11 years ago and began boxing at six years old.

It all started after his dad decided to sign him up for the sport.

“I found that this sport is really fun and really interesting. It just kind of kept growing and now I’m here,” he added. “He signed me up so I could learn to defend myself… I didn’t want to do it at first and eventually I came to love the sport.”

He hopes to someday compete at the Olympic level and eventually make a career out of it.

Black Rock Boxing Club coach Andrii Omelcheck said Polischuk worked hard to become the best boxer in his weight class in Canada. The teen was also the only member of the club who attended nationals.

“He trained so hard every day and that’s why it paid off,” he said. “He’s a very smart and polite kid so he deserves this.”