Mozambique’s Panguana fights for gold – First woman from Southern Africa in a World Boxing Championship final

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Mozambique’s Panguana fights for gold – First woman from Southern Africa in a World Boxing Championship final

2:03 CAT | 19 May 2022

File photo: Federação Moçambicana de Boxe

Alcinda Helena Panguane is poised to take on Lisa Edel O’Rourke of Ireland in the light middleweight decider, with the action getting underway at 5:00 p.m. Mozambican time.

Panguane won her semi-final yesterday and is guaranteed at least a silver medal.

In addition to taking gold and becoming world champion, prize money of US$100,000 is hers if she wins.

After becoming the first boxer from Southern Africa to compete in the semi-finals of a women’s world boxing championship, Alcinda Helena Panguana yesterday achieved another unprecedented feat by progressing to the finals of the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul.

After defeating Valentina Khalzova from Kazakhstan on Wednesday, the Mozambican boxer will fight for the gold medal in the middleweight 60-70 kg category later this Thursday (19-05) with the final matches starting in Istanbul at 5:00 p.m. Mozambican time.

On Wednesday, Panguana defeated Kazakh boxer Valentina Khalzovapor by four votes to nil, a categorical victory for the young lady from Zimpeto.

In a close fight, Alcinda Panguana managed to control her opponent’s movement and eliminated Khalzovapor, the jury giving her four votes against one abstention.

In the final this Thursday evening, Panguana faces Ireland’s Lisa Edel O’Rourke, who defeated Turkey’s Sema Caliskan in the semi-finals. Qualification for the final secures her the silver medal, but she wants more.

The world, Africa and Mozambique are truly stunned and thrilled by the results of the Mozambican boxers in Istanbul, Turkey, and tonight, the nation will be cheering for “Turkish delight” this evening.

Regardless of the final result, Panguana’s achievement is unprecedented for women’s boxing in Mozambique and on the African continent.

Rady Gramane, the other Mozambican boxer at the World Cup in Turkey, is bringing home an unprecedented bronze after losing to Canadian Tammara Thibeault in the 70-75 kg division semi-final.

These are historic achievements for Mozambique, for Africa, and for African women.

This afternoon, we are all in Alcinda’s corner!