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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Known as a power puncher among her fellow boxers, 20-year-old Senamile Ngema from KwaNonqaba's iKhaya Boxing Club, will represent the province at the national boxing championships next month.
Ngema, who started boxing three years ago, in 2022, participated in the Western Cape boxing championships, held in KwaNonqaba earlier this month.
After winning her match in the flyweight division, her selection for the provincial team was cemented. However, she said it was only last week that she learned of her selection.
Mossel Bay Advertiser visited Ngema during a training session at Barcelona Hall, KwaNonqaba, by iKhaya Boxing Club on Tuesday evening, when she spoke about her love of boxing and her excitement over her selection for the championships.
Hailing from KwaZulu-Natal, Ngema said she moved to Mossel Bay at the start of this year to start her studies at South Cape College.
Video: Senamile Ngema practices with her coach, Lazola Thole
She said her parents took her to her first boxing lesson three years ago.
"I had some anger issues. Boxing has taught me teamwork, discipline and self-defence. I love boxing and what it has done for me," she said.
Ngema's coach and manager, Lazola Thole, said Ngema was an extremely talented boxer and he and her fellow club boxers were very proud of her.
iKhaya Boxing Club founder and coach, Lazola Thole and Senamile Ngema. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
He said he was certain Ngema would go professional soon.
"She is an incredibly powerful puncher. She is also fast. We are just working on flexibility now, but we are confident that once she represents the province, she will be recognised and recruited for the national team and then she will take her boxing to the professional level," said Thole.
The national championships will be held in Gauteng during the school holidays, which are from 28 June to 21 July.
Ngema said she is excited about the championships, however, she does need help funding her transport, accommodation and food while she is there.
If you would like to support Ngema, contact her on 065 604 2038.
To find out more about iKhaya Boxing Club, contact Lazlo Thole (081 031 2705).
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