TORONTO – “My Greek heritage has shaped who I am in so many ways. Greeks have historically been warriors. We are resilient, passionate, and proud of our history and culture. Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and boxing itself has deep roots in ancient Greek history, so there is something truly special about being a boxer and having that connection to my heritage,” young Greek-Canadian boxer Victoria Vergos told The National Herald.
In a wide-ranging interview, Victoria spoke about her journey in boxing, the lessons she has learned through competition, her Greek heritage and how it has shaped her character both inside and outside the ring, her current training camp in Greece, as well as her goals and aspirations for the future.
The National Herald: When did you first realize that boxing was more than just a sport you wanted to try, and that it was something you truly wanted to pursue?
Victoria Vergos: I actually came to boxing a little later than most. I started boxing at 14 years old. Before that, I had been a competitive gymnast since I was five, and gymnastics was a huge part of my life. When COVID shut our gym down, I was looking for a way to stay active and conditioned.
My father, who is also one of my coaches, started training me in our garage just to keep me fit. What began as a way to stay in shape quickly turned into something much more. I fell in love with boxing almost immediately – the challenge, the discipline, and the constant opportunity to improve. Very quickly, I realized that this was my sport and where I truly belonged.
I never returned to gymnastics. Boxing gave me a new passion and a new purpose, and from that point on, I dedicated myself fully to pursuing it.
TNH: What are the most important lessons you have learned through sports and throughout your boxing career?
Victoria Vergos: Boxing has taught me discipline, resilience, and patience. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and there are always ups and downs in sport. I’ve learned that setbacks and losses can become your greatest teachers if you’re willing to learn from them.
One of the biggest lessons boxing has taught me is sacrifice. Boxing can be a very isolating sport. There are a lot of things that girls my age are doing, like going out with friends, taking vacations, and enjoying a more typical social life that I’ve had to miss because of training camps, competitions, and the commitment required to compete at a high level.
I’ve learned that if you want to be the best, sacrifices have to be made. It’s not always easy, but it’s taught me the value of dedication, consistency, and staying focused on long-term goals. In the end, those sacrifices make the achievements even more meaningful because you know how much you’ve put into earning them
TNH: Is there a particular moment, fight, or achievement in your athletic career so far that stands out to you?
Victoria Vergos: If I had to choose one favorite memory, it would be winning my first national title. I had worked so hard to achieve that goal, and in that moment, all of the sacrifices, early mornings, tough training sessions, and setbacks felt worth it. It was a very special moment because it validated the hard work I had put into the sport and gave me confidence that I belonged at that level.
Another moment that will always stand out to me was participating in the first-ever Canada Winter Games to include female boxing. Although I came home with a silver medal, I also came home as part of history. Being part of such a significant milestone for women’s boxing in Canada and helping pave the way for future generations of female athletes is something I will always remember and take great pride in.
And of course, every opportunity to represent Canada internationally is incredibly meaningful to me. Wearing the Canadian uniform is something I never take for granted, and it serves as a reminder of how far I’ve come and how many people have supported me throughout my journey.
TNH: Which region of Greece does your family originate from? How did you connect with your Greek roots growing up, and do you visit Greece often?
Victoria Vergos: My family is from the villages of ‘Κώμη’ (Komi) and ‘Δάφνη’ (Dafni), near Tripoli in the Peloponnese region of Greece. Growing up, my Greek heritage was a huge part of my life. I attended Greek school and was heavily involved in our church community at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. One of my favorite traditions was participating as a ‘myrofora’ during Easter, which helped me develop a deep appreciation for my faith and culture from a young age.
My family always made sure that Greek traditions, values, and language remained an important part of our upbringing. Greece has always felt like a second home to me, and I try to visit whenever I can. Every time I’m here, I feel a deep connection to my family history and a great sense of pride in my heritage.
Being in Greece, especially in the villages where my family comes from, reminds me of where I come from and the values that have shaped me both as a person and as an athlete.
TNH: How has your Greek heritage influenced your character, both inside and outside the ring?
Victoria Vergos: My Greek heritage has shaped who I am in so many ways. Greeks have historically been warriors. We are resilient, passionate, and proud of our history and culture. Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and boxing itself has deep roots in ancient Greek history, so there is something really special about being a boxer and having that connection to my heritage.
I think that fighting spirit is something I carry with me every day. In the ring, it gives me the determination to keep pushing through challenges and never give up, even when things get difficult. Outside the ring, my Greek upbringing has taught me the importance of family, faith, hard work, and staying grounded.
I take a lot of pride in being Greek-Canadian and representing both my country and my heritage. Whenever I step into the ring, I feel like I’m carrying a piece of that history and those values with me.
TNH: You are currently in Greece for training. How is your preparation going, and what competitions or fights do you have coming up in the near future?
Victoria Vergos: Training in Greece has been an incredible experience. I’ve had the opportunity to work with high-level athletes and coaches, which has pushed me to continue growing and improving both physically and mentally. Being able to train in my parents’ homeland has also made this camp especially meaningful to me.
Unfortunately, the National Team of Mexico was unable to obtain their visas, so our scheduled competition against Mexico on July 4 in Canada will no longer take place. However, I will still be attending the Commonwealth Games training camp in Belfast beginning on July 6, and I’m really looking forward to that opportunity.
After Ireland, I will be competing in a tournament in the state of Michigan in August, followed by the Continental Championships in Mexico in October. I’ll then return home to compete at the Ontario Provincial Golden Gloves in October and the Canadian National Championships in November.
It’s a very busy and exciting schedule, and I’m looking forward to continuing to challenge myself and gain valuable experience against top-level competition as I keep pursuing my goals in the sport.
TNH: What are your goals and aspirations for the next few years?
Victoria Vergos: My goal is to continue representing Canada at the highest level possible and to keep growing as both an athlete and a person. Competing at the Olympics is definitely one of my biggest dreams and something I work toward every single day.
I also have aspirations of pursuing a professional boxing career. One of the exciting things about boxing today is that there are opportunities for athletes to compete in both the amateur and professional ranks simultaneously, which opens up even more possibilities for my future in the sport.
Ultimately, I want to challenge myself against the best in the world, continue gaining experience on the international stage, and make my family, coaches, and community proud. Most importantly, I want to enjoy the journey, inspire younger athletes, and make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.
