Published: 20 August, 2009, 09:24
Edited: 20 August, 2009, 09:24
After years of campaigning, women's boxing has finally been added to the Olympics and with it comes the hope of glory for Russian fighters. RT caught up with two boxers, hoping to make it into the ring in London 2012.
Natalia Ragozina has won everything there is to win. However, there's one gaping hole in her trophy cabinet which, up until now, she's been unable to do anything about.
“I've got all the titles I need in professional boxing. I'm the absolute world champion. I have seven title belts – the only thing missing is an Olympic gold medal – and I'm prepared to drop everything in order to fight for one,” she said.
Once an athlete turns professional, they normally aren't allowed to return to compete in the Olympics. However, Ragozina hopes an exception will be made for female boxers who've turned pro.
“Female boxers never had the opportunity to fight in the Olympics, so the majority went to compete professionally. Hopefully we'll be allowed to compete, and I think this will be very interesting if we are all able to fight it out for a gold medal,” she said.
Female boxers have been lobbying for years for their sport to be included in the summer games. However, up until last week, their requests had always fallen on deaf ears.
“Everyone says it basically doesn't look good, how two women can beat each other up. I don't agree with this at all. Look at other sports, like gymnastics and figure skating, where the participants also pick up bad injuries. If you carry out the instructions that your coach gives you, then you can avoid injuries, and perhaps the authorities have finally realized this,” Natalia Ragozina explained.
 Natalia Ragozina |
“Like most things in life, maybe this had something to do with politics. In order to include women's boxing, this has to be thought through, and this takes time. However, I don't think the International Olympic Committee could wait any longer, as women's boxing is becoming more and more popular,” Sofiya Ochigava said.
“At the Russian national championships, there are over 200 women competing, and they've all had to come through earlier qualification rounds. The sport has developed so much, it was impossible to ignore it any longer,” she added
Only three weights have been included for the London games, Flyweight, Lightweight and Middleweight. And this poses a particular dilemma for Sofia.
“I'm currently in between two weight categories – 51 kilograms the limit for Flyweight, and 56 kilos, the minimum for lightweight. I've got two options – either lose or gain weight. I don't like slimming, and I've fought at those weights before, so I want to move up, and try something different,” she asid.
At only 22, Sofiya certainly has time on her side, as she'll only be 25 when the London Olympics come around.
“I love winning, but I'd never thought of picking up an Olympic gold before. In a way it gives an extra sense of motivation to my career. However to make it all the way to London won't be easy. Our national championships are very strong, and I have to do well there if I want to make the worlds, which is obviously a pre-requisite for competing in London,” Sofiya Ochigava said.
Sofia and Natalia may be at different stages of their careers, but they share one common dream, which is standing on top of the podium at the Olympic Games in London, with a gold medal around their necks.