Cuba approves women's boxing

The Cuban governmentapproved the practice of Women's Boxing in the country, after long years of struggle and demands from the boxers.

The official announcement was made this Monday inPress conference the vice president of INDERAriel Sainz and the president of the Cuban Boxing Federation,Alberto Puig de la Barca, who indicated that there was a prior investigation process and that they are sure that "it is time and we will not take any risks."

"Success will depend on the communication we can have with our women. That is why it will be necessary to redouble advertising, watch new programs," Puig said.

INDER will present a development plan for Women's Boxing with two stages. The first is designed to bring a team to the Central American and Caribbean Championships with a minimum of preparation that allows them to win medals. The second stage will begin after the Central Americans, ahead of the Olympic Games.

The Boxing Commissioner pointed out that it will be essential to work on the weight categories and they will have seven divisions for men and six for women. There will be 13 men's and 12 women's world championships and he specified that the first women's competition of this type could be at the beginning of 2023.

"In May, the most outstanding women may participate in the Tashkent world event," said Puig and announced that the Cuban boxing management will form a selection of 12 women.

"The priority has been combat sport athletes, since they have a similar physical preparation, what they would need is intensive technical-tactical elements of boxing. In addition, we will give the possibility to women from the rest of the country, who historically they have practiced it for health or sport," said Puig.

On December 16 and 17, INDER will hold a boxing event with 42 competitors to select 12 women, six of whom would go to the Central American and Caribbean Games.

The accelerated plan for Women's Boxing in Cuba requires the training of coaches. They specified that although there are no differences in the rules with respect to men, the means of protection do change. They assure that they have the breast and genital protectors necessary for the training of the 12 women.

In January 2023, sports teams in Cuba will be open so that any woman who wishes can practice boxing legally.

Cuban boxers had beenfighting for the recognition of Women's Boxing. The journalist Julia Osendi referred to this issue in a recent publication, after learning of the approval made by INDER.

"I am happy to know that Cuban women will finally be able to climb a ring. Prejudices have been defeated. Before someone comes out saying that I never liked that sport for women, I remind them that beyond taste or preference lies reason and whoever does not advance with the times, remains in the Paleolithic Ah! I still don't like it, butforward cuban. Show your gallantry in the ring," said the communicator.

One of the most notable figures has beenNamibia Flowers, a woman with the aptitude, the speed of her legs, the dodge and the strength in her fists who dreamed of being an Olympic champion, but she is already over 40 years old.

Namibia Flores Rodríguez She trained secretly for more than five years with only one goal, to compete as a professional boxer and go to the Olympics for Cuba. In July 2015 he emigrated to Miami to achieve his dream.