High Turnout At Boxing Tournament
Kebone Laetsang | Monday March 4, 2019 13:13
The competition, hosted by Prisons Boxing club had 10 women bouts as well as 23 for men. Gosego Baoki of Mafika club in the 48kg category opened the tournament with a 3-0 victory over her opponent, Jessica Maotoanong of Prisons Club.
It was a closely contested bout in the first round, but Baoki started dominating against her opponent until the last round. Baoki and Maotoanong were the only women participating in the junior category.
In an interview Baoki said she was happy with the win. However, she was not entirely impressed by her performance and intends to improve in preparation for the up coming tournament. The 60kg women’s category, which pitted Aratwa Kesemang of University of Botswana against Keamogetse Kenosi of Diamond trading company Botswana, was more intriguing.
The crowd cheered tirelessly throughout the bout as the women who have represented Botswana before exchanged blows. They started the match enthusiastically with both boxers looking to take throw the first punch and take the lead.
Kesemang received more jabs and punches from Kenosi few minutes after the fight started. Kenosi dominated from the first round until she won the bout with Kesemang not withstanding the pressure. Kenosi who won 3-0 against Kesemang was ecstatic after the play. “I am impressed by my performance because I had enough time to prepare for the tournament, I had to practise twice a day and doing these routine helped me get engaged in my well being as a boxer,” said Kenosi. “Confidence and passion conquers all and I always encourage other boxers that if you are passion driven and you do what is of interest to yourself you will definitely do it wholeheartedly.” Kenosi said competing outside the country before gave her more exposure. “Women do come in this sport but some leave on the way and lose the zeal, but I always give them a word of advice that boxing is an interesting sport,” she said.
Botswana Boxing Association publicity secretary, Taolo Tlouetsile said they conduct these tournaments to pave way for the national team boxers. He said officials select the best individuals from each category to represent the country abroad.
Molepolole Boxing club would be the next host for the upcoming interclub tournament on March 16. From April 23 to 28, Botswana will host the Zone 4 Southern African Development Community tournament.