Limpopo boxer represents SA in Montenegro
Blessing Njiyani gains valuable experience at World Youth Boxing Championships, with coach David highlighting challenges faced by SA boxers.
LIMPOPO – Local boxing coach David Maswanganyi and boxer Blessing Njiyani from Lulekani recently participated in the World Youth Boxing Championships in Budva, Montenegro.
The South African team included five boxers, two girls and three boys.
Maswanganyi coached the boys, while Nelly Luthuli from KwaZulu-Natal coached the girls.
Despite not advancing past the preliminary rounds, Njiyani (18), found the experience invaluable.
“I learned a lot and gained valuable experience. My focus going forward is to train harder and improve my skills. I’m aiming to compete in more international tournaments and hopefully bring home more medals for South Africa,” he said.
Maswanganyi highlighted several challenges faced by local boxers.
He noted differences in fighting styles, with international boxers using the Olympic style, standing on their toes, while South African boxers stand flat on their feet.
Additionally, he pointed out discrepancies in officiating, where matches are stopped for an eight-count after a hard punch, affecting the boxer’s chances if they continue and are hit again.
Maswanganyi also emphasised the disparity in the number of matches, with international boxers averaging over 100 fights compared to about 25 for South African boxers, making competition tougher.
He expressed disappointment that no African country progressed beyond the preliminary rounds. “My plea and recommendation to the South African boxing fraternity is that we must adapt to the international way of doing things if we want to be competitive,” he concluded.
