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MBABANE – It is usually said that ‘once tasted, always wanted’.
That is seemingly the case for the country’s young and promising female boxer Veliswa Magaya, who is currently abroad in India for International Boxing Association (IBA) Women’s World Championships. At the age of 18 years, she has been the first female from the kingdom to participate in the championships, which are on their 13th edition in the city of New Delhi.
“I’ve set my goals very high as I’m hardly just three years into boxing after developing love for it at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic late in 2020. The journey doesn’t end here as I look forward to participate in more international games than local ones. I’m optimistic that I will get a chance to go and punch them in the African Boxing Confederation, the Commonwealth as well as in the Olympic Games among others. I also want to emerge a champion in one of them,” the Zebra Force pugilist said.
Last Sunday, she made her debut appearance in the ring as an elite boxer in the World Championships. She, however, first climbed onto the international stage ring in 2021 during the Lesotho African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V Championships, which were played in Maseru. She brought home gold and went on to participate in the 2022 Mozambique All Africa Games and Zone V games. “Basically, I don’t have a role model to follow but myself. I’m self-driven and I believe commitment is key as well as passion for the sport,” she said. Magaya, who is affectionately known as ‘Shotgun’, has an impressive run in domestic tournaments. She is yet to taste defeat amid her 15 domestic fights. She has also captained the Youth Championships Eswatini twice between 2020 and 2022.
“I’ve fought so many boxers in the ring but my greatest opponent so far has been Zambia’s Elizabeth Phiri, who I fought in Maseru in the Region V final. She was a tough rival while those that are here are well trained and fit. Reaching the Region V finals has been my greatest moment so far,” ‘Shotgun’ opened up.
To any other female boxers or aspiring boxers who might be looking up to her as their role model, ‘Shotgun’ advised that they fall in love with the sport to enjoy it and not be coerced into the dominant soccer. She also does athletics in school, while she likes soccer too.
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Age: 18
Home Gym: Zebra Force Boxing Club
Home Coach: Maxwell Ngwenya
Stance: Orthodox
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