Women Continue To Shun Boxing
Naledi Lemogang | Monday March 20, 2017 16:14
On Saturday, BoBA held an inter club competition in Gaborone that featured 54 boxers who produced quality bouts.
Despite the improved display, women boxers continued to stay away with only one bout possible on Saturday.
BoBA development officer, Healer Modiradilo expressed disappointment at the poor turn out of women boxers. There was only one women’s bout, which featured Bosele Dimpiso of EMG Club against University of Botswana’s (UB) Lethabo Modikanele in the 52kg category.
Modikanele controlled the fight from the first to the last round with Dimpiso rather lethargic and slow with her punches.
Modikanele attacked timely and while Dimpiso tried to fight back that did not stop Modikanele from taking the lead as she was on top throughout, eventually winning 3-0. This was the first women’s bout in the inter club competitions which began last weekend. Modikanele said the issue of lack of opponents after weigh-in affects them badly as they work hard to prepare for the fight, but end up being demoralised by lack of pairs. Her coach, Lechedzani ‘Master’ Luza said women boxers are suffering due to lack of opponents therefore he pleaded with other clubs to bring women to tournaments.
Meanwhile, there was an increase in number of male competitors. Modiradilo said he was happy with the fitness of the pugilists. He said this was a sign that coaches were doing a splendid job handling the boxers.
In the men’s 69kg bout, Kagiso Bagwasi of DTCB knocked out his opponent Mmusi Tswiige of Prisons 2-1. The two boxers are among the finest in the country, technically mature and employ a similar style.
However, it was not Tswiige’s day as the gold medallist from last year’s competition bit the dust.
Tswiige appeared very slow with his punches which went in singles while the speedier Bagwasi employed double strikes. Bagwasi said this was his first bout while Tswiige was making his second appearance of the year.
“I suffered a knee injury last year, and therefore I could not manage to make it to the first tournament because I wanted to make sure that I am fit enough to compete,” Bagwasi said.
UB coach, Luza said his boxers have improved tremendously from the last tournaments.
He said the work rate of his boxers continues to impress. “My boxers work very hard, as a coach I am proud of them because they can last up to the final round without fatigue. I am working very hard and I wish to have boxers that are selected for the national team,” Luza said.
Selected results:
56kg- George Molwantwa beat Gillian Ditshwene 3-0
64kg- Kutlwano Ogaketse beat Gontlafetse Phane with a technical knockout (TKO)
56kg- Keamogetse Ditodi beat Treasure Moremi who retired hurt.