Havanna Demers of Rapid View trains during a high-performance boxing camp at Boxing Canada’s National Training Centre in Montreal in January. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers)

By Kenneth Cheung

LOCAL TALENT

Sask. teen boxer earns shot at Youth Olympics after standout Quebec camp

Jan 27, 2026 | 1:43 PM

A standout performance at a national boxing camp in Quebec has earned a Saskatchewan teen the chance to qualify for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Sixteen-year-old Havanna Demers of Rapid View was among Canada’s top youth, under-21 and elite boxers invited to a high-performance camp at Boxing Canada’s National Training Centre in Montreal. The camp brought together athletes ranging from teenagers to adults for intensive sparring in front of national and Olympic-program coaches.

Held last week, the camp was designed to test younger athletes against older and more experienced competition. Demers sparred across age groups, facing national champions and boxers with international experience.

“Havanna outboxed everybody she stepped in the ring with,” said her father and coach, Quenten Demers.

Havanna Demers of Rapid View trains during a high-performance boxing camp at Boxing Canada’s National Training Centre in Montreal in January. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers)

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One of the most telling moments came during a sparring session with Marie Al-Ahmadieh, an under-21 boxer with international experience.

“She told me that Havanna was the best sparring she had at the whole camp,” he said.

For Havanna, who has earned two national medals and claimed four Saskatchewan provincial titles, the week was about more than results.

“It was an amazing week,” she said. “Working with all these great athletes and coaches. These are like the best athletes in Canada.”

Her performance in Quebec led to her selection for an international qualifying event in Thailand — the U19 World Boxing Futures Cup in March — the first step toward a possible appearance at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in the fall. Selection does not guarantee a spot at the Games, but it provides an opportunity to compete for one.

“So the first step is Thailand. She’s got to win in Thailand,” Quenten said.

The opportunity comes with a significant trade-off. The Thailand event overlaps with Canadian junior nationals, meaning Havanna will forgo a chance to compete for a national title and a potential berth at the world championships.

“She has made the choice that she’s going to go to Thailand to take a shot at the Youth Olympics because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Quenten said.

Havanna Demers of Rapid View signs a Saskatchewan flag during a high-performance boxing camp at Boxing Canada’s National Training Centre in Montreal. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers)

The Quebec camp also proved valuable for Saskatoon boxer Jaycey Kasakan, who trained alongside Demers and sparred against national medalists and champions. While too young to be selected for the Thailand event, his performance stood out in a deep field.

For Havanna, the experience reinforced her confidence as she prepares for international competition.

“I’m very confident,” she said. “There will be some very, very, very tough competition, but I’m ready to go in there and face that and train as hard as I can and get that gold.”

As plans now shift toward Thailand, her coach said the past week confirmed her standing among Canada’s top young boxers.

“She’s proved that she is the best girl in Canada at 57 kg and 60 kg,” he said.

Havanna Demers of Rapid View, right, and Saskatoon boxer Jaycey Kasakan pose outside of the Institute National du Sport (INS) Québec in Montreal. (Image Credit: Quenten Demers)

The family also said they are grateful for support from local sponsors, including Furniture Village in Lloydminster, OK Tire in Meadow Lake, Skylight Trucking Ltd., B&D Earth Works, Nu Line, Meadow Lake Chrysler, High Octane Welding and Blatz Roofing in Rapid View.

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com