DOWN BUT NOT OUT
Boxers not fazed by Delhi results
BOTSWANA’S three representatives at the just ended IBA Women World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, India are not fazed by their poor showing at the sport meet.
In fact, according to coach Thebe Setlalekgsi, the trio of Lethabo Modukanele (50kg), Aratwa Kasemang (66kg), and Phekile Bele (54kg) will qualify for the Olympics in Paris, France.
“They’ve done exceptionally well if you factor in that we didn’t have a training camp leading to the games,” he said.
“Their last competitive international challenge was back in September. That’s over six months ago, and not healthy for any athlete,” said Setlalekgosi.
Team Botswana started on a low note last Thursday with Bele losing by a split decision to Moldova’s Lulia Coroliat. The youngster, according to her coach, has gained invaluable experience that’ll come in handy in her quest for Olympic qualification.
On Sunday, Kasemang, who was expected to at least make the quarter finals, was defeated 5-0 by Ivanusa Moreira Gomes of Cape Verde. That left the Commonwealth bronze medallist, Modukanele, as the country’s only medal hope.
She lived up to the hype, outclassing her opponent, Duwal Asmita of Nepal, 5-0 in
her opening bout. However, her journey was abruptly ended by Vietnamese Nyuyen Thi Tham, dumping her out of the championships 5-0.
Despite the humbling defeats, an upbeat Setlalekgosi said his team has shown their potential against some of the seasoned semi-professionals in the ring.
“We need a two-month training camp and the girls will easily qualify for the Olympics. We know our opponents in Africa, they were also competing in Delhi, that’s why I’m confident that we’ll make it to Paris,” declared Setlalekgosi.
The coach said his main concern is that his team does
not have any serious competition in the country, which affects their preparations.
“They don’t have good opponents here. They’ve to go out and test themselves against the best, because they’re up there with some of the best in the region,” he told Voice Sport.
Setlalekgosi further said he’ll focus on the three ladies for possible Olympic qualification. “We can’t, at this stage, bring in any new faces, except for Keamogetse Kenosi, who’s now back at training. Currently, these are the only four ladies we are going to work with,” concluded Setlalekgosi.
The team is expected to arrive back in the country next Wednesday.