Linda Ximba
South Africa’s bronze medal winner at the Commonwealth Games, Phiwokuhle Mnguni, has set her sights on achieving gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Mnguni made history when she became the first South African female boxer to step onto the podium at the Games this month.
The 21-year-old from Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal secured bronze along with Australian Tina Rahimi in the women’s featherweight 54kg-57kg division.
Mnguni was defeated on Saturday by eventual gold medallist Michaela Walsh from Northern Ireland in the semi-final. However, she didn’t let the defeat dishearten her and she was proud to capture bronze.
“It’s a privilege for me to be the first-ever woman to achieve a medal at the Commonwealth Games for South Africa,” she said after the tournament.
“I couldn’t have done this without my coaches and everybody that supported me. I thank everyone and especially God and my ancestors.”
The Commonwealth Games is Mmnguni’s first experience at the top level.
“I learned a lot in the ring, I had an experienced boxer who taught me some things. I just really appreciate the opportunity. I’ll be much stronger at the Paris Olympics,” she said.
Mnguni, a sports management student, is expected to receive a hero’s welcome on Wednesday at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
Meanwhile, East London-based boxer Simnikiwe Bongco also captured bronze for South Africa in the men’s middleweight 71kg-75kg in Birmingham.
