The new queen of the ring

16 Sep, 2018 - 00:09 0 Views
The new queen of the ring

The Sunday Mail

All kids fight, but few of them end up making a living from throwing punches.

One of those few is Chiedza Homakoma, who never thought that the childhood scrapes she got into as a youngster in rural Gokwe who see her lace up leather professionally and become a boxer.

The turning point came at the 2011 National Youth Games when renowned trainer Issa Phiri talent spotted her and envisioned a rough boxing diamond that needed polishing.

“I didn’t choose boxing, boxing chose me,” said 26-year-old Homakoma, Zimbabwe’s lightweight champion.

Homakoma wants to conquer the world.

“If I look back at my history I can feel I have more in store in my boxing career. Fighting has always been in my blood. I fought a lot with other school kids at Blue Gum Primary school in Cheve Cheve, Gokwe.

“I have no other job besides boxing so all my efforts are going towards making sure that I become a better boxer. Being the national champion is not enough for me, I want to be the continental champion before aiming for the world title,” she said.

Although she lost her debut international fight on points to Ugandan kickboxer-cum-pugilist Patricia Apolot at the Kalakoda Boxing Night in Harare a fortnight ago, Homakoma walked out of the ring with her head held high. The Zimbabwean champion endured a barrage of blows from the hard-hitting Apolot, and won praises from trainer Phiri despite the defeat.

“Chiedza has a boxing heart and she proved it during that fight against Apolot,” said Phiri. “When I first saw her around 2011, I saw a champion.

The heart that she has is the right one for a boxer. She is very courageous and am happy with how she has progressed.

“The plan now is to keep working on improving her record before gunning for an international title. We are happy with the Kalakoda Boxing Nights because they are exposing our boxers to international opponents.”

Although she was praised for her endurance Homakoma says she was devastated by the HICC defeat.

“Honestly I was very disappointed by that defeat.

Yes, people are saying I showed courage against a heavy puncher but as a boxer all I want to do is win fights.

It was my debut international fight and I learnt a lot.

I will be wiser and smarter next time. The hard work continues and will not stop,” she said.

The Tafara-based Homakoma rose to national prominence on April 28, 2018 when she knocked out veteran pugilist Monalisa Sibanda after only a minute and 40 seconds to land the Zimbabwe lightweight title.

Homakoma is like a raging bull in the ring but away from it she says she is as soft as wool.

“I am not a violent person, boxing is just a sport.

Yes, during my younger years I used to believe in fighting to resolve disputes but am mature now and a Christian of the Apostolic Faith Mission,” said Homakoma, whose next fight is another international bout on November 30 in Harare.

“I am yet to know my November 30 opponent but have already started preparing for her,” she said.

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