By Linda Ximba
South African female boxers have found the going tough at the ongoing International Boxing Association (IBA) World Women’s Championships in New Delhi.
The country is being represented by Phiwokuhle “Ben 10” Mnguni, Lerato Mathibe and Lethokuhle Sibisi at the annual championships.
Mguni fights in the 57kg division and gave it her best when she battled it out with Thahn Yaho but lost via a split decision.
The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist started well but faded towards the end of the first round. She took the second round convincingly and we thought the third was well balanced.
Sibisi, who was appearing for the second time at the championships, also displayed a spirited fight but lost to Rahimova Zynab from Azerbaijan on points.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa from India, the diminutive boxer from Dundee detailed why she found the going tough.
“I could not find my striking distance as my opponent was much taller. In the last round I sensed that she started to grow tired and gave me a strong finish but it seems it was a little too late as she had already secured the first and the second round,” said Sibisi, who fights in the 54kg division.
She said despite the loss there are many positives she was taking out of the trip.
Now all eyes will be on Mathiba (50kg) who was scheduled to fight Magaya Veliswa from Eswatini on Sunday evening.
Pictured above: Lethokuhle Sibisi
Image source: supplied
