Albanian whose life ‘changed’ after squashing Mary’s dreams
Azize Nimani is proud of her “Albanian blood”, understands the pain of war-torn people of Kosovo, where she was born, and is never afraid to pull back punches when she represents her adopted country Germany in the boxing ring.
MC Mary Kom will never be able to forget the 26-year-old Azize, who dashed her 2016 Rio Olympic dreams by defeating her in the second round of the 2016 World Championships in Astana.
European Championship bronze medallist in 51kg, Azize accepts that beating Mary in 2016 was a landmark win in her career. “Beating Mary Kom during 2016 Olympic Qualifiers was an important fight for me. Because Mary is a legend in women’s boxing and if you can beat her, you can beat everyone. So of course it meant a lot to me as it showed that I can be on top,” Azize said in an interaction for the Women’s World Championship, starting Thursday.
Azize is a fascinating character, an eclectic mix of different cultures and she flaunts it proudly. “I basically represent Europe,” Nimani said.
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On her left bicep, there is an eagle tattoo and she excitedly replies: “That’s the Albanian eagle and it’s a part of me. I don’t want to hide it. Yes I am boxing for Germany but I am proud of my Albanian blood.” Her family migrated to Germany from the war-torn Kosovo when she was only seven years old.
“We moved to Germany when I was seven years old, so I basically grew up in Germany and it wasn’t as difficult for me,” she said.
But it wasn’t as easy for her elder siblings, who have memories of Kosovo’s war of independence. “But I know, for my brother, sisters older than me, it was a little bit more difficult. Culturally, they have more Kosovo roots in them compared to me.,” said Azize. “I am proud that I have my roots in Kosovo and also proud that I am a German now. Because now I am boxing for Germany and that’s all what matters.”