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Nhlanhla Mbele
Bulawayo’s boxer Baula Mhoya was crowned best boxer of the tournament in the female category at the Zimbabwe National Youth Games that were held in Gweru at the weekend.
The Nketa Boxing club budding star was awarded the prize after she fought for glory against Midlands’s Sithembile Ndlovu in the finals.
Steven Masiyambumbi, who is the coach for the Bulawayo province said Mhoya, who made her first appearance in the youth games, displayed a thrilling performance and proved to the country that girls also have a home in boxing.
“I was totally impressed by Baula’s performance. Her feat was one of the best that I have ever witnessed and no one could believe that it was her first fight.
“As you are aware that most people in our community believe that boxing is a violent sport which is usually played by hooligans especially males, Baula was able to prove that stereotype wrong,” said Masiyambumbi.
Although the province had a hard time convincing her parents to let Baula partake in the youth games, Masiyambumbi said her father gave her the green light to go and showcase her talent after he witnessed her performance.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo province sent eight boxers, five boys and three girls, to the youth games. The athletes were selected from clubs and schools in Bulawayo.
These clubs and schools include Nketa Boxing club, Bulawayo West, Sikhulile High School and Lobengula High School.
In the men’s category, Blessing Sibanda from Sikhulile knocked out Tapiwa Gumbi from Matabeleland South in the second round of the light fly.
In the bantamweight, Lovemore Mavurawa lost to Panache Chidobori from Midlands in the finals. Might Kudzusa lost to Simbarashe Mapontsha from Matabeleland South in the light weight, while Tooth Ganyara lost in the semi-finals of the welter weight.
In the girls’ category, Buhle Ncube won against Pretty Moyo from Mat South by a walk over, while in the bantam category Princess Mkhuli from Sikhulile won a gold medal against Panashe Mombe from Mat South.
Online Reporter