Lance Corporal Kwashi Agnes, is currently the only female boxer in the Zimbabwe National Army. The young energetic boxer has defied all odds to become one of the success stories at Black Rhinos Boxing Club in recent years. She has won several medals, the most recent of which was her triumph at the National Tournament to select a team to represent the country in the Zone Six Youth Games to be held in Malawi later this year.
The tournament was also aimed at selecting elite boxers to compete in Slovenia in preparation for the All Africa Games to be held in Ghana in 2023.
At the tournament, which was held at the Palace Hotel in Bulawayo on 24 September 2022, Kwashi won a gold medal and a trophy for being one of the best pugilists. The tournament attracted hundreds of boxers from across the country, including 18 females.
Kwashi reckons that her best is yet to come as she aims to compete at the highest level. “I am still pushing until I am able to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France. I am glad I have had the right mentorship and support to achieve my dream. My coach, Staff Sergeant Kwangware Alexander is an experienced coach, having participated at the All Africa Games in Zimbabwe in 1995 and the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.
“I also get professional and technical advice from Sergeant Masiyambumbi Steven who is an international Star 3 Referee. Most importantly, I also want to thank the ZNA for the support through affording me time, facilities and funding,” she said.
Kwashi highlighted some of the challenges she faces as a female boxer. “Since I am the only female fighter at Black Rhinos Boxing Club, I do not have a sparring partner.
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I have, however, been having light sparring matches with my male colleagues and I think this gives me an advantage when I face female boxers,” said Kwashi.
Lance Corporal Kwashi joined the ZNA in 2017 and did her basic military training at the Recruit Training Depot in Bulawayo the same year. It was at the Depot that her talent was noticed during the Sports Week. Staff Sergeant Kwangware who had attended the event as an umpire took note of her potential and has been grooming her since then. Kwangware recruited Kwashi for the Black Rhinos Boxing Club from 2 Mechanised Battalion, where she had initially been posted after recruit training.
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