April 06, 2007

Sioux boxer aims for Olympics

Chasing a dream

Vermillion boxer hoping to make Olympic teamIn the language of the Sioux Indian, the name Wahacanka means "good war shield."

Wahacanka Wilch thinks about his Native American heritage every time he steps into the boxing ring. A member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton tribe from Northeastern South Dakota, the 19-year old Wilch has dreams of boxing in the Olympics.

Actually, the 2006 graduate of Vermillion (S.D.) High School isn't far off. If the righthander wins the middleweight (165 pounds) title at the Golden Glove Tournament of Champions later this month in Chattanooga, Tenn., he'll qualify for the U.S. Championships in June at Colorado Springs, Colo., where he needs another championship to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

"It's me representing my tribe and my people," said the 6-foot-2 Wilch, who has a 50-4 record with 25 knockouts. "It's my special hope to be an inspiration for them so they can see anything is possible with hard work. I'm not talking only for Native American youth, but all youth in general. I want to be an inspiration."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

he is a degenerate who tried to take the life of another in 06 outside of the ring by hitting him in the back of the head