Boxing girl gets gold

KNYSNA NEWS - A 14-year-old girl boxer from Sinethemba Boxing Club, who attends Grade 8 at Percy Mdala High School, recently beat the regional champion in Mossel Bay, thereby securing her place in the provincial championships due to take place in May.

Emihle Nelson, who won herself a gold medal on 9 March when she got the better of Sibabatso Molefe, says she has been fighting since the age of 11 after watching a few boxing matches on television.

"I love the sport and I work hard at it," she says. "I don't really get scared or nervous when I get into the ring. I'm really enjoying it."

The young fighter will be at it again on 18 May when she will face opponents in Mossel Bay hailing from all over the Western Cape.

Her coach, Lwanda Madikane, says the future for Emihle looks bright. "She is improving every time she steps in the ring, fighting better and with lots of intensity.

"Before this, her last fight was in Mdantsane last year December when she outboxed a champion in her division and won gold in that tournament."

Another boxer from the club, Klaytin Ruiters, made his amateur debut when he fought regional champion "China" on 9 March, but unfortunately he lost on a split decision.

Madikane said Ruiters did not give China any space to run as he was throwing and landing his combinations well, giving the champion a very hard time.

Ruiters has also been selected to perform at the provincial championships in May.

Both Nelson and Ruiters will be performing in an Easter tournament taking place in Dam-se-Bos on 20 April.

Madikane, who is a fitness coach and professional boxer, is also preparing a fight in Port Elizabeth on 23 March when he faces the town's Thabiso Zakhe in a lightweight contest in Nongoza Jebe Hall.

Sinethemba Boxing Club coach and professional boxer Lwanda Madikane (left) with Mziwethu Skosana, and Madikane's twin brother Lwandile.