The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
THEY say the best is usually reserved for the last and this adage aptly describes the story of female boxer Monalisa Sibanda, who is swimming in joy after finally realising a long cherished dream.
Just when she was contemplating to quit the sport, after a 15-year career that had more downs than ups, including losing a daughter in an accident before divorcing her husband.
Monalisa Sibanda can finally smile again.
The 36-year-old boxer, is basking in glory after clinching the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) title — her first ever international belt since October 15, 2005 when she made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean female pugilist to turn pro.
Sibanda won the vacant WIBA title after defeating Kenyan Joyce Awino with a unanimous points decision after a 10-round fight staged in Nairobi on April 27.
“Just when most people thought I was done, with some discouraging sponsors from helping me saying I was too old, God finally came with an answer.
“I had toiled and toiled in this boxing journey with nothing to show for it but now I can loudly say thank you Lord for finally awarding me,” Sibanda told The Sunday Mail in an interview last Friday.
Sibanda’s plight touched many back in 2013 when her three-year-old daughter died in a road accident in South Africa, that also claimed lives of nine members of the Johane Masowe WeChishanu Nyenyedzi Nomwe.
Sadly, Sibanda had to beg the nation for financial assistance to repatriate her daughter’s body back to Zimbabwe.
“That was a very painful time for me, losing a daughter is not easy. I have gone through a lot.
“I also divorced my husband along the way but still I soldiered on.
“I had an encounter with my spiritual father Bishop Murata and he told me God would take care of me.
“I also wanted to quit the sport some two or so years ago but Prophet Walter Magaya urged me on and supported me both financially and spiritually,” revealed Sibanda.
Her WIBA title put some gloss on her otherwise unimpressive record, which stood at 5-9-0 before she took Kenyan champion Joyce Awino.
Perhaps it was sweet revenge for Sibanda who lost to another Kenyan Everline Odero the last time she made an assault at the WIBA super flyweight title in September 2018.
Sibanda was knocked down twice before losing the match via a unanimous points decision. The boxing gods finally smiled on Sibanda who is now a holder of an international belt.
“Some people had begun to rule me out, some said I was finished, some predicted gloom but God has his own ways. Here I am with my belt, a champion!” thundered Sibanda.
