THE meteoric rise of ‘Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam in 2022 culminated in remarkable fashion yesterday, as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) standout secured the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) most prestigious honor, the ‘Boxer of Year’ accolade.

Amsterdam was selected as the 2022 Boxer of the Year by the local governing authority following a thorough process, which saw coaches and members of the executive analysing the local and international exploits of the respective hopefuls.
The soft-spoken but hard-hitting Sergeant Amsterdam during a brief comment, said, “It’s a very happy moment, and I feel so proud of myself to be selected. I don’t have the words to describe how I feel but I feel proud, and it’s an auspicious moment for me and I will continue my best in 2023 to keep improving and achieving more goals. I would like to thank our President Steve Ninvalle who has been charting this progressive course not only for me, but for boxing in Guyana and the Caribbean.” Amsterdam said.

Amsterdam’s eventual selection seemed a mere formality given his spectacular exploits in the 2022 calendar year. His resume during the aforementioned period is of historic proportions and reads like a highlight reel.

Amsterdam clinched a bronze medal at the prestigious Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships in Ecuador, before battling to a quarterfinal place at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

He then concluded his international campaign with another historic bronze medal capture, this time at the South American Games in Paraguay.

The aforementioned feats did not go unnoticed and were duly rewarded by International Boxing Association (IBA), as Amsterdam became the highest-ranked Guyanese boxer on 23rd in his division. His medal at the AMBC tournament marked the first time that a Guyanese boxer won a financial reward at any IBA sanctioned event. On the local front, Amsterdam also copped Gold at the Terrence Ali Open Championship, following the event’s two-year absence.

By the same token, experienced coach Terrence Poole MS has been adjudged the Best Coach following an identical eclectic process.

Poole during brief remarks said, “Numerous times I have won this award but it simply means that hard work pays off. I have made a lot of sacrifices for the sport and won all the national competitions. I was able to walk away with it easier because one of the high points of 2022 was achieving a Triple Crown champion in Troy Glasgow, who won gold at the Novice, Intermediate, and Open Championships which is not something that easily or normally occurs. I am very pleased with the award and thank the executive of the GBA, especially president Steve Ninvalle for their continuous efforts in developing the sport.”

Also, Jermaine Craig has been adjudged the Best Referee for 2022 and made it a clean sweep for the Guyana Defence Force at the awards.

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle disclosed that while an official date is yet to be finalised, a presentation ceremony will be staged where commemorative plaques will be presented to the respective awardees to honour their accomplishments.

According to Ninvalle, “Desmond Amsterdam’s rapid ascension is evident of what can be garnered if dedication, discipline, and commitment are fundamental tenets of your mentality and approach to the sport, as well as serve as the proverbial North Star for your sporting and personal ambition. His accomplishments, both internationally and locally, which led to his eventual crowning or acquisition of the Best Boxer accolade, should serve as evidence of what can be achieved once the athlete’s commitment and the association’s developmental programmes are harmonised.