Boxers learn from Kokoda’s history

Great victories and achievements often come from sacrifice, commitment, discipline, and a strong bond among friends working together for a greater cause.

During the battle of Kokoda in World War II, brave men stood firm on treacherous mountain sides and slippery hills in the middle of the tropical jungle and unforgiving weather to face a deadly enemy.

It was there in 1942 that Australian Diggers with the help of Papuan carriers, affectionately known as the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels”, made their final stand. Their courage and service echo through the ages as every generation learns from their story.

Eleven Papua New Guinea boxers appreciated the lessons from these war heroes when they participated in a camping program on the Kokoda Track on 5th September 2026. 

The athletes were accompanied by two staff members from the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee and PNG Boxing National Coach Peter Morrison.

Sponsored by Adventure Kokoda, it was also a good bonding event for the athletes - four of them — Petronella Nokenoke, James Paul, Kua Mua Gunua, and Bid Michael represented PNG at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Morrison, who organized the trip, said the goal of the camp was to foster a sense of teamwork and national pride by learning about the sacrifices and service of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and the servicemen of Papua who served alongside the Australians. 

The team also participated in a teamwork challenge by making and carrying a stretcher over the homeward stretch of the trail, and undertook a group discussion on the importance of role models and how each athlete saw themselves as a role model.

PNG Olympic Committee staff member and athlete performance expert, John Tekwie Jr, said it was a very humbling experience.

“It was humbling to have had such an opportunity to walk and see firsthand the physical challenges of the environment that our forefathers had gone through to allow us the freedom we enjoy now,” he said.

“In my line of work, it was good to understand the importance of struggles and challenges involved in the journey towards achieving something memorable, in sports and outside.” 

The team also visited the Bomana War Cemetery and paid their respects as part of the program.

Though the program was brief, much was learned and appreciated from the courage, mateship, service, sacrifice, and commitment of the brave soldiers on Kokoda.

In their own way, athletes like these boxers also make sacrifices and commitment for their individual and collective goals in their sport and their lives. Morrison hopes that from this experience, the team can build themselves not only as athletes but also as leaders carrying a legacy that was hard-fought for on those treacherous tracks over 80 years ago.

The boxers will be resuming full training soon in preparation for the Pacific Games in Tahiti in 2027. Those who make the final team will carry the hopes of their country and their people, and hopefully, in their hearts and minds, they also carry the memories and stories of those who went before them.

PC: Supplied