Jonah Sarich Prince: A Journey of Consistency, Strategy and Growth

Current resident Jonah Sarich Prince, from the City of Melville and pursuing a Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at UWA, has impressively won back-to-back Championship State Titles in the light-heavyweight division in 2023 and 2024!

Throughout his four-year boxing journey, Jonah has gained invaluable insights into the sport, particularly the importance of consistency. This principle of consistency has been crucial for developing a solid foundation of skills and resilience—not just in boxing, but also in other sports, career goals and life pursuits.

Jonah explains, "I would say the most critical lesson I've learned in all the four years I've been boxing is that consistency is how you improve. Whether your motivation is low or you're feeling sore from the day before, you will always get slightly better each day as long as you show up."

Competing in amateur boxing presents unique challenges, especially since fighters only learn about their opponents on the day of the match. This uncertainty makes strategising difficult, requiring comprehensive preparation in all aspects of boxing. Standing taller than most in the 80kg weight division, Jonah uses his height and reach to his advantage, employing long, straight punches to stay outside his opponents' range. His strategic approach to boxing is truly impressive. He says, "I also try to go for as many body shots as I can since it is such an effective way to tire someone out, as well as to overwhelm them as they struggle to block and avoid different punches hitting them at different levels."

Mental preparation is another critical component of Jonah's boxing regimen. He experiences various emotions leading up to a fight, from overconfidence to self-doubt. He relies on the confidence gained from his consistent training to manage these fluctuations. He shares, "My motivation to perform during these moments before the fight is constantly changing, but honestly, most of the time, it's the thought of getting an awesome reaction from the crowd and showing the results of all the training I've been putting in behind closed doors to family and friends."

Jonah's academic journey has greatly benefited from his time at St Catherine's. The College provides a community of peers pursuing similar academic paths. This supportive network has proven invaluable in helping him tackle coursework and address academic challenges.

His experience at the College has not only positively impacted his academics but also enriched his social life and personal growth. Access to conducive study spaces and staff and peer support has boosted his academic performance. At the same time, the College community has offered him opportunities to forge strong friendships and develop independence. Jonah reflects, "I've had the chance to meet nice, down-to-earth people and have made plenty of good friends. I've also grown as a person quite a lot since this is my first time living away from home, so I've learned to be more independent and keep myself accountable to the tasks I've set."

Balancing rigorous training with academic and social responsibilities has been a challenging yet rewarding journey for Jonah, preparing him for future success inside and outside the ring.