By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Landen Willimot, 13, is a rising star in the boxing world who has earned admiration from both the ring and his school community. Willimot boasts 17 wins and three losses while boxing for the Kent Athletic Youth Organization.
His achievements include being crowned Provincial Champion and Golden Gloves Champion in the 60-kilogram (Junior B) division, all while balancing his studies at King George VI Public School in Chatham.
Willimot’s boxing journey started at the age of six, and he has already won the prestigious Brampton Cup Champion title twice, the largest tournament of its kind in North America. A fifth-generation boxer, Landen carries on his family’s legacy, with his mother being a three-time national champion and his father a former provincial and Winter Games champion.
Despite his early success in boxing, Willimot remains focused on his athletic and academic growth. His teachers and peers at the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) have immensely supported his achievements.
“Landen is a great representation of what we aspire students to be at King George VI in Chatham,” said school principal Danielle Maryschak.
“He is polite, enthusiastic, and always tries to be a great ‘KING’. He works with our younger students as a monitor in one of our primary classes and is a leader on our sports teams as a Grade 8 student. We are so excited to see how Landen finishes off his elementary career at King George!”
Willimot plans to continue his education at Chatham-Kent Secondary School while maintaining his focus on boxing. His success in and out of the ring has made him a source of pride for his entire school community.
“The staff were so excited for Landen,” added Maryschak. “Even before students arrived at school on Monday morning, many staff were discussing his great achievement that had hit the local news. All of our staff at King George are invested in seeing our students be successful both in school, as well as in their lives outside of our classrooms.”
