CDMX, Mexico-. Today the first women’s boxing competitions in Cuba were officially held. In the Córdova Cardín sports facilities, in Havana del Este, the seven bouts on the ring that began boxing for women on the island took place.
The official agency ACN reported that “the honor of being the first winning woman corresponded to Elianni de la Caridad García, from the capital, who unanimously defeated Reynabell Grant (GTM) in a fight with a lot of exchange, but, as was logical, lacking boxing ABC”.
Elianni trained athletics, but after the opening of this new discipline she decided to apply for recruitment and was chosen for a concentration together with other Cubans.
Another of the day’s champions, the barely 18-year-old from Villa Clara, Melany Girad also defeated Legnis Cala (Havana). Girad, in the same way, decided to change his discipline when he opened the boxing female. He previously trained taekwondo. The young woman added that her family supports her decision.
The 12 athletes who competed today were included in the national preselection to double in the six Olympic categories. In addition, there is already another group of 24 that will be placed in the reserve, the note reported.
The training of the athletes begins with a view to the closest international commitment: the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023.
Finally there is women’s boxing in Cuba
At the beginning of this month, after several years of discussion, the Cuban authorities announced that the practice of this sport for women was approved.
“We are going to recover what we lost. A thorough study was done. We do not let ourselves be pressed for time. Today is the day we are convinced, after all the investigations carried out. It is a safe step, it is the moment and we will not run any risk”, said Alberto Puig de la Barca, president of the Cuban Boxing Federation and national commissioner, when presenting the discipline.
The intention is to attract athletes from an early age, as is the case with the rest of the disciplines. In the Sports Initiation Schools (EIDE) this branch will be incorporated in the 2023-2024 academic year in the 15-16 year-old category, and in the 2024 School Games there will be simultaneous events with the men’s event.
They also announced that the first national women’s boxing championship will be held in 2023, in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Except for additional body protection measures –bust and pelvis–, the practice will be the same between both genders, the managers stated.
Men’s boxing is the sport that has awarded the most Olympic medals to Cuba, with a total of 78, including 41 gold.
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