Zakir Yusof

Zakir Yusof is a 16-year-old boxing prodigy and the reigning New Zealand junior 60kg champion. As a refugee who has found a new life in New Zealand, Yusof credits boxing with giving him discipline, purpose, and the ambition to aspire to become a world champion and an Olympic athlete. He has overcome challenges, including language barriers and a hand injury, and is known for his powerful presence in the ring. Yusof has become an inspiration to many, particularly young people from similar backgrounds, and aims to defend his title at the upcoming national championships in Porirua, where success could lead to qualification for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.