The making of champions

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

John Conlon has swapped the streets of Belfast for the gyms of Bahrain, driven by a single mission: to make the Kingdom a boxing force to be reckoned with. Speaking exclusively to The Daily Tribune, the Irishman, appointed head coach in December 2025, brings decades of experience training Olympic champions. He is now focused on shaping Bahrain’s young fighters and instilling in them what he calls “warrior DNA.”

Coach’s Roots

Conlon grew up in West Belfast, a neighborhood renowned for producing Olympians. “I worked as a club coach for a long, long time. We have a great history of producing Olympians, my sons included,” he said. His sons, Jamie and Michael Conlan, are accomplished boxers. Jamie held the Commonwealth super-flyweight title, while Michael won Olympic bronze, World Championship gold, and also challenged for the featherweight world title. From grassroots coaching to leading Ireland’s high-performance programs, he also trained stars like Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington. “Ireland has a strong boxing culture. It was a pleasure to be involved.”

After a two-year break, Bahrain’s Boxing President, His Excellency Rashid Felyefel, approached him. “I just connected straight away. I felt, you know what, this fits perfectly.” Conlon spent his first days meeting athletes and visiting gyms, impressed by their commitment and warmth. He replaced Englishman Tony Davis as coach, bringing fresh energy and a clear vision to the federation.

Warrior DNA

At the heart of the coach’s philosophy is courage. “I’m very similar to Irish people. You cut me, I have this warrior DNA. I can’t teach that. It’s something you’re born with,” he said. He sees the same drive in Bahraini athletes, even those with limited natural talent. His role is to refine technique, conditioning, and strategy. “You want to throw one punch and take ten? No, not in my game.” Exposure to diverse styles — American, Russian, European, Asian, and African — ensures Bahrain’s boxers will surprise their opponents on the global stage.

Youth Development

Developing young talent is central to Conlon’s approach. “The juniors are like sponges. They’re diamonds that need to be polished,” he said. He highlighted 15-year-old Mohammed Atiya, who impressed during a recent sparring trip to Saudi Arabia. Initially underestimated because of his age, Atiya quickly dominated. “Within two seconds, his opponent realized the game had changed. This kid fights for pride, not pay. That drive, focus, and heart is exactly what we look for.”

Other Bahraini boxers like Sami AlAdsani, Ali AlAradi, and Rasheed Mehfrinfar are learning to rotate strategies, inspired by fighters such as Vasyl Lomachenko. Conlon emphasizes discipline, mental resilience, recovery, and attention to detail, all of which are crucial traits for producing well-rounded athletes.

10-Year Vision

Conlon’s long-term plan connects local clubs to elite competition. Athletes will receive full support — medical, psychological, technical, and social — while remaining connected to grassroots coaches. “The club coaches do a huge amount of work. My role is to polish that work, not replace it,” he said. The ultimate goal: medals at the Asian Games, World Championships, and Olympics, alongside national pride.

While touring local gyms, Conlon praised their role in shaping character. “They’re teaching courage and self-respect. Boxing creates strong, disciplined, respectful young men and women. They’re not thugs. Nobody messes with them because they know they can get clipped, but they behave in a way people admire.”

Building Champions

Recent sparring camps, particularly Atiya’s performance, hint at a bright future for Bahrain’s youth fighters. Conlon’s mission is ambitious but clear: instill discipline, and provide a structured pathway for the country to become a global boxing force. “Everything in life passes. When times are better, we will host more camps, bring in more countries, and develop athletes and coaches alike,” he said.

With Conlon at the helm, Bahrain’s boxing future is no longer a dream — it’s a rising force, shaping champions round by round.