Olympics boxers start intensive training

BoBA spokesman Willough Kemoen said the sensational Khumiso Ikgopoleng (54kg) and Thato 'Hands of Stone' Batshegi (57kg) will be in camp till August when the Olympic Games take place. The boxers started camping on Monday. Kemoen said the camp will be interrupted by a number of international competitions where the pugilists are expected to take part. Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNSC) has sponsored the training camp and the boxers' trips abroad. On 20 May, the boxers fly to Taiwan to participate in a pre-Olympics tournament from 24 May to June 2.

Kemoen stated that the tournament is strictly for boxers who have qualified for the Olympics. "This pre-Olympics tournament is meant to introduce boxers to the Olympic style. They would battle with the same calibre of opponents they would meet in the main event," he explained. Ikgopoleng is making his second appearance at Olympics but Batshegi is a debutant.