Omar Kimweri left the Tanzanian Commonwealth Games team in 2006. Now he's determined to permanently make Australia home and repay his new country with a world title.
In 2004 he was considered East Africa's finest fly-weight, but left the Tanzanian Commonwealth Games team in Melbourne and his boxing career was placed on hold.
A temporary visa now allows the 25-year old Omar to pursue his dream and he does so under the watchful eye of trainer Dave Hegarty.
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The pair is forging a bond that extends well beyond the ropes.
“Any problem I got, he's the first person I go to. He's one of my family friends you know what I mean?," Kimweri told SBS.
Now married, Omar would like to bring his brother and father to Australia, as returning to Tanzania is simply not an option.
In his old job as a prison guard, Omar's pugilistic skills were called upon to punish wayward inmates.
“I didn't like to do it but they force me to do it, to bash people. So if they send me back home, I used to bash people in jail so what's going to happen to me?," he said.
Dave Hegarty believes Omar can secure a world title, not just because of his speed and power, but his determination.
“Just the way he trains. His attitude to training is unbelievable. He doesn't stop. We have to throw him out of the gym sometimes to slow him down!,” Mr Hegarty told SBS.
Driving the desire is his new family and the country he hopes to call home.
"I love this country and I hold the flag all of my fights,” Kimweri said.
Team Kimweri is planning a tilt at the Oriental fly-weight crown by the end of this year.
