Who says diamonds are a girl's only best friend? For the past six years, there's not been a day when Saraswati Rana, 26, has been apart from her boxing gloves. With them is how she begins her mornings at training and as she ends the day in bed, she confesses her dreams often involve those same gloves and the elusive gold medal. So under the supervision of her coach and with the rest of her male counterparts, she goes all out, punching a heavy bag with impressive speed and power. What's more, Rana is not alone.
"I realize the fact that there are Nepali women who box professionally tends to go unnoticed, but here we are," says Rana, gesturing around the room while taking a breather during her training.
PRIYANKA GURUNG
Who says diamonds are a girl's only best friend? For the past six years, there's not been a day when Saraswati Rana, 26, has been apart from her boxing gloves. With them is how she begins her mornings at training and as she ends the day in bed, she confesses her dreams often involve those same gloves and the elusive gold medal. So under the supervision of her coach and with the rest of her male counterparts, she goes all out, punching a heavy bag with impressive speed and power. What's more, Rana is not alone.
"I realize the fact that there are Nepali women who box professionally tends to go unnoticed, but here we are," says Rana, gesturing around the room while taking a breather during her training.
There is a steady trickle of female boxers at the training center in Dasarath Rangasala Stadium. On the dot at seven in the morning and then later at two, along with Nepal's male national boxing team, the women's national boxing team also starts warming up. Their hair tied up in braids or ponytails, they start jumping and skipping around. Soon enough, they are asked to pair up with the guys and thus begin their sparring sessions.
"I know you want to know whether we can handle the guys while sparring with them. I know you do. Everybody is curious," says Nisha Tamang, 27. There are roughly around 20 regular female boxers who train with the coaches at the Dasarath Rangasala training center. They largely represent the professional teams of the police, the army, and the armed police force (APF). The best from the lot also make up Nepal's women boxing team. While Rana from the APF is considered the number one boxer in this small fraternity at the moment, Tamang representing the police comes in a close second. These days she and Rana always practice together and between the two, stereotypes come crashing down.
"Let's face it, men are biologically stronger than women. However, boxing is also about technique, speed and skills and in those categories, I believe we are all on par. So yes, to answer your question, while sparring we give as good as we get. A boxer can't be scared of getting hurt. It's an occupational hazard," continues Tamang, pointing at her slightly swollen left eye. Her hands though had a nice coat of pink nail polish.
A sport where your opponent has a single objective – to hurt you – might be deemed masculine however, gender is obviously not an issue for the Nepali women involved in the sport.
"At the end of the day, it's all about believing in your capabilities. We here receive the same trainings as men and are expected to master the same skills. The feeling you get when you realize your physical and mental prowess is simply intoxicating," says Rana.
At the training center, almost all of the Nepali female boxers' stories begin the same way. They were all athletic as a child. An overwhelming majority of them also have a background in Karate. Then, there was their career choice in the police, army or the APF. They also cite their family's support as a great motivator, especially since some in the society can be prejudiced.
"Back when I was still training on my own, I used to jog up the hills at my village in Rolpa. On the trails as I passed the villages, I often used to hear murmurs. Some locals couldn't understand why I wanted to be a boxer. Perhaps they thought I couldn't hear them backbiting, however, every now and then I would hear the disapproving comments. But I chose not to stop," says Mangda Budhamagar, 21.
She tends to begin her sentences with a giggle and has such a sweet disposition that you can't help but wonder how she stumbled unto boxing. Nevertheless, Budhamagar can pack a punch. She was recently picked for the National team and is one of the promising talents on the boxing scene. She is following her father's footsteps.
Budhamagar continues, "As a child, I remember being absolutely fascinated with my father's footwork. Whenever he shuffled, jumped, slid or dashed, I was mesmerized by his grace and speed. I'm certain that's one of the things that led me to choose boxing."
So with their family's support, these female boxers diligently continue embarking on their chosen career path and if they do have any complaints, it's not about the grueling twice a day, five times a week training. It's about the lack of resources and opportunities.
Maya Rai, 30, for instance plays for the 46Kg category and has participated in only two international matches in her decade long career. "When it comes to sending a player abroad, the priority is often given to heavier weight categories. So even though I have won several national and team matches, I haven't had many chances yet. The budget allotted to not only women's boxing, but boxing in general, is strained. Ideally there should be more tournaments than the handful we have every year since it would help build our skills. But due to lack of resources, this is not possible yet," say Rai.
She also insists that there would be more women willing to pursue professional boxing, if the earnings could sustain a comfortable lifestyle. This financial problem is one of the main reasons potential players are being discouraged from boxing full time. The ones who do tackle the sport professionally are mainly able to because of their affiliation to the police, army, or the APF. Even then, there are just about able to make the ends meet.
"The popularity of boxing is slowly but surely rising and not only in the cities but in the villages as well. Despite the fact that they don't have proper gear, you will see some girls interested in practicing. If there was more investment in boxing, I bet more girls would join. I believe there are less women in this sport because of lack of scope, and not because they can't put up a fight," says Rai.
Though it's not like Nepal's official boxing committee isn't trying to do their part to promote women's boxing. They along with the Olympic committee have granted Rana a year's scholarship to train for the Olympic selections to be held next year. The problem is there are other deserving candidates as well.
"Sometimes considering the hardships I do wonder why I put myself through this. Particularly after losing a match I have worked so hard for, I sometimes feel like hanging up my gloves. But then again, boxing has also helped build my character. It teaches you to be resilient. Perhaps that's why I stick around for another round," confesses Tamang.
And again, she is not alone. Despite the lack of recognition or good pay, many Nepali female boxers are keen to pursue this intensely rigorous and almost brutal sport. Even those with children, like Rai, have decided to rededicate their lives to boxing.
"Being a woman, the challenges come in different forms. Initially, playing both the roles of a mother and a boxer was one of them. After giving birth to my daughter three years ago, I had no doubt that I wanted to return to the trainings. But I couldn't focus for a while. My mind constantly kept drifting to my baby," says Rai.
"But I'm getting better at it now. Actually now even my daughter enjoys playing around punching the air. I hope I have passed on my love for boxing to her," she concludes.
priyankagurungg@gmail.comPRIYANKA GURUNG
Who says diamonds are a girl’s only best friend? For the past six years, there’s not been a day when Saraswati Rana, 26, has been apart from her boxing gloves. With them is how she begins her mornings at training and as she ends the day in bed, she confesses her dreams often involve those same gloves and the elusive gold medal. So under the supervision of her coach and with the rest of her male counterparts, she goes all out, punching a heavy bag with impressive speed and power. What's more, Rana is not alone.
"I realize the fact that there are Nepali women who box professionally tends to go unnoticed, but here we are," says Rana, gesturing around the room while taking a breather during her training.
There is a steady trickle of female boxers at the training center in Dasarath Rangasala Stadium. On the dot at seven in the morning and then later at two, along with Nepal's male national boxing team, the women's national boxing team also starts warming up. Their hair tied up in braids or ponytails, they start jumping and skipping around. Soon enough, they are asked to pair up with the guys and thus begin their sparring sessions.
"I know you want to know whether we can handle the guys while sparring with them. I know you do. Everybody is curious," says Nisha Tamang, 27. There are roughly around 20 regular female boxers who train with the coaches at the Dasarath Rangasala training center. They largely represent the professional teams of the police, the army, and the armed police force (APF). The best from the lot also make up Nepal's women boxing team. While Rana from the APF is considered the number one boxer in this small fraternity at the moment, Tamang representing the police comes in a close second. These days she and Rana always practice together and between the two, stereotypes come crashing down.
"Let's face it, men are biologically stronger than women. However, boxing is also about technique, speed and skills and in those categories, I believe we are all on par. So yes, to answer your question, while sparring we give as good as we get. A boxer can't be scared of getting hurt. It's an occupational hazard," continues Tamang, pointing at her slightly swollen left eye. Her hands though had a nice coat of pink nail polish.
A sport where your opponent has a single objective – to hurt you – might be deemed masculine however, gender is obviously not an issue for the Nepali women involved in the sport.
"At the end of the day, it's all about believing in your capabilities. We here receive the same trainings as men and are expected to master the same skills. The feeling you get when you realize your physical and mental prowess is simply intoxicating," says Rana.
At the training center, almost all of the Nepali female boxers' stories begin the same way. They were all athletic as a child. An overwhelming majority of them also have a background in Karate. Then, there was their career choice in the police, army or the APF. They also cite their family's support as a great motivator, especially since some in the society can be prejudiced.
"Back when I was still training on my own, I used to jog up the hills at my village in Rolpa. On the trails as I passed the villages, I often used to hear murmurs. Some locals couldn't understand why I wanted to be a boxer. Perhaps they thought I couldn't hear them backbiting, however, every now and then I would hear the disapproving comments. But I chose not to stop," says Mangda Budhamagar, 21.
She tends to begin her sentences with a giggle and has such a sweet disposition that you can't help but wonder how she stumbled unto boxing. Nevertheless, Budhamagar can pack a punch. She was recently picked for the National team and is one of the promising talents on the boxing scene. She is following her father’s footsteps.
Budhamagar continues, "As a child, I remember being absolutely fascinated with my father's footwork. Whenever he shuffled, jumped, slid or dashed, I was mesmerized by his grace and speed. I’m certain that's one of the things that led me to choose boxing."
So with their family's support, these female boxers diligently continue embarking on their chosen career path and if they do have any complaints, it’s not about the grueling twice a day, five times a week training. It's about the lack of resources and opportunities.
Maya Rai, 30, for instance plays for the 46Kg category and has participated in only two international matches in her decade long career. "When it comes to sending a player abroad, the priority is often given to heavier weight categories. So even though I have won several national and team matches, I haven't had many chances yet. The budget allotted to not only women's boxing, but boxing in general, is strained. Ideally there should be more tournaments than the handful we have every year since it would help build our skills. But due to lack of resources, this is not possible yet," say Rai.
She also insists that there would be more women willing to pursue professional boxing, if the earnings could sustain a comfortable lifestyle. This financial problem is one of the main reasons potential players are being discouraged from boxing full time. The ones who do tackle the sport professionally are mainly able to because of their affiliation to the police, army, or the APF. Even then, there are just about able to make the ends meet.
"The popularity of boxing is slowly but surely rising and not only in the cities but in the villages as well. Despite the fact that they don't have proper gear, you will see some girls interested in practicing. If there was more investment in boxing, I bet more girls would join. I believe there are less women in this sport because of lack of scope, and not because they can't put up a fight," says Rai.
Though it’s not like Nepal's official boxing committee isn't trying to do their part to promote women's boxing. They along with the Olympic committee have granted Rana a year’s scholarship to train for the Olympic selections to be held next year. The problem is there are other deserving candidates as well.
"Sometimes considering the hardships I do wonder why I put myself through this. Particularly after losing a match I have worked so hard for, I sometimes feel like hanging up my gloves. But then again, boxing has also helped build my character. It teaches you to be resilient. Perhaps that's why I stick around for another round," confesses Tamang.
And again, she is not alone. Despite the lack of recognition or good pay, many Nepali female boxers are keen to pursue this intensely rigorous and almost brutal sport. Even those with children, like Rai, have decided to rededicate their lives to boxing.
"Being a woman, the challenges come in different forms. Initially, playing both the roles of a mother and a boxer was one of them. After giving birth to my daughter three years ago, I had no doubt that I wanted to return to the trainings. But I couldn't focus for a while. My mind constantly kept drifting to my baby,” says Rai.
“But I’m getting better at it now. Actually now even my daughter enjoys playing around punching the air. I hope I have passed on my love for boxing to her,” she concludes.
priyankagurungg@gmail.com
There is a steady trickle of female boxers at the training center in Dasarath Rangasala Stadium. On the dot at seven in the morning and then later at two, along with Nepal's male national boxing team, the women's national boxing team also starts warming up. Their hair tied up in braids or ponytails, they start jumping and skipping around. Soon enough, they are asked to pair up with the guys and thus begin their sparring sessions.
"I know you want to know whether we can handle the guys while sparring with them. I know you do. Everybody is curious," says Nisha Tamang, 27. There are roughly around 20 regular female boxers who train with the coaches at the Dasarath Rangasala training center. They largely represent the professional teams of the police, the army, and the armed police force (APF). The best from the lot also make up Nepal's women boxing team. While Rana from the APF is considered the number one boxer in this small fraternity at the moment, Tamang representing the police comes in a close second. These days she and Rana always practice together and between the two, stereotypes come crashing down.
"Let's face it, men are biologically stronger than women. However, boxing is also about technique, speed and skills and in those categories, I believe we are all on par. So yes, to answer your question, while sparring we give as good as we get. A boxer can't be scared of getting hurt. It's an occupational hazard," continues Tamang, pointing at her slightly swollen left eye. Her hands though had a nice coat of pink nail polish.
A sport where your opponent has a single objective – to hurt you – might be deemed masculine however, gender is obviously not an issue for the Nepali women involved in the sport.
"At the end of the day, it's all about believing in your capabilities. We here receive the same trainings as men and are expected to master the same skills. The feeling you get when you realize your physical and mental prowess is simply intoxicating," says Rana.
At the training center, almost all of the Nepali female boxers' stories begin the same way. They were all athletic as a child. An overwhelming majority of them also have a background in Karate. Then, there was their career choice in the police, army or the APF. They also cite their family's support as a great motivator, especially since some in the society can be prejudiced.
"Back when I was still training on my own, I used to jog up the hills at my village in Rolpa. On the trails as I passed the villages, I often used to hear murmurs. Some locals couldn't understand why I wanted to be a boxer. Perhaps they thought I couldn't hear them backbiting, however, every now and then I would hear the disapproving comments. But I chose not to stop," says Mangda Budhamagar, 21.
She tends to begin her sentences with a giggle and has such a sweet disposition that you can't help but wonder how she stumbled unto boxing. Nevertheless, Budhamagar can pack a punch. She was recently picked for the National team and is one of the promising talents on the boxing scene. She is following her father's footsteps.
Budhamagar continues, "As a child, I remember being absolutely fascinated with my father's footwork. Whenever he shuffled, jumped, slid or dashed, I was mesmerized by his grace and speed. I'm certain that's one of the things that led me to choose boxing."
So with their family's support, these female boxers diligently continue embarking on their chosen career path and if they do have any complaints, it's not about the grueling twice a day, five times a week training. It's about the lack of resources and opportunities.
Maya Rai, 30, for instance plays for the 46Kg category and has participated in only two international matches in her decade long career. "When it comes to sending a player abroad, the priority is often given to heavier weight categories. So even though I have won several national and team matches, I haven't had many chances yet. The budget allotted to not only women's boxing, but boxing in general, is strained. Ideally there should be more tournaments than the handful we have every year since it would help build our skills. But due to lack of resources, this is not possible yet," say Rai.
She also insists that there would be more women willing to pursue professional boxing, if the earnings could sustain a comfortable lifestyle. This financial problem is one of the main reasons potential players are being discouraged from boxing full time. The ones who do tackle the sport professionally are mainly able to because of their affiliation to the police, army, or the APF. Even then, there are just about able to make the ends meet.
"The popularity of boxing is slowly but surely rising and not only in the cities but in the villages as well. Despite the fact that they don't have proper gear, you will see some girls interested in practicing. If there was more investment in boxing, I bet more girls would join. I believe there are less women in this sport because of lack of scope, and not because they can't put up a fight," says Rai.
Though it's not like Nepal's official boxing committee isn't trying to do their part to promote women's boxing. They along with the Olympic committee have granted Rana a year's scholarship to train for the Olympic selections to be held next year. The problem is there are other deserving candidates as well.
"Sometimes considering the hardships I do wonder why I put myself through this. Particularly after losing a match I have worked so hard for, I sometimes feel like hanging up my gloves. But then again, boxing has also helped build my character. It teaches you to be resilient. Perhaps that's why I stick around for another round," confesses Tamang.
And again, she is not alone. Despite the lack of recognition or good pay, many Nepali female boxers are keen to pursue this intensely rigorous and almost brutal sport. Even those with children, like Rai, have decided to rededicate their lives to boxing.
"Being a woman, the challenges come in different forms. Initially, playing both the roles of a mother and a boxer was one of them. After giving birth to my daughter three years ago, I had no doubt that I wanted to return to the trainings. But I couldn't focus for a while. My mind constantly kept drifting to my baby," says Rai.
"But I'm getting better at it now. Actually now even my daughter enjoys playing around punching the air. I hope I have passed on my love for boxing to her," she concludes.
priyankagurungg@gmail.com
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