King Mohammed VI congratulated Widad Bertal on her victory in the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships, where she won the 52-54 kg category title. She defeated Turkey’s Hatice Akbas and aims for the 2028 Olympics. Bertal is the second Moroccan woman to win world championship gold, and her team also saw success with Hasna Larti winning bronze. The tournament marked significant achievements for Moroccan women’s boxing.
King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal, following her victory in the 52-54 kg category at the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships in Nis, Serbia. The King praised her dedication and ambition, highlighting the importance of her achievement in elevating Morocco’s presence on the global sports scene. He expressed pride in her success and wished her well in future competitions.
Widad Bertal, 25, claimed her championship title by defeating Turkey’s Hatice Akbas, a former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, with a score of 5-2. Her path to the finals included a close 4-3 semifinal victory over Serbia’s Sara Cirkovic. In a post-match interview, Bertal dedicated her win to King Mohammed VI and her supporters, asserting, “This gold medal is for the first sportsman, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan people, and everyone who supported me.” She expressed aspirations for her future career: “This is just the beginning of my career and I will be realizing more dreams.”
Upon returning to Morocco, she expressed that her victory at the championships would inspire her to aim for success at the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bertal’s journey includes notable achievements, such as winning three consecutive African Championships from 2022 to 2024 and earning a bronze medal at the 2022 African Amateur Boxing Championships in Maputo. She is now recognized as the second Moroccan woman to win gold at the World Boxing Championships, following Khadija El Mardi’s victory in 2023.
In addition to Bertal’s achievement, her teammate Hasna Larti earned a bronze medal in the 75-81 kg category. She defeated Bulgaria’s Victoriya Kebikava before losing to Russia’s Saltanat Medenova in the semifinals. Nabil Hilmi, Vice President of the Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation, acknowledged the hard work required to achieve medals despite facing challenges during the competition. He expressed hopes for continued success in boxing for both men and women.
The championships also highlighted other successes in Moroccan boxing, as Oumaima Smlali was named Best Referee and Judge of the tournament. The events, held from March 8-16, further marked significant progress for women’s boxing in Morocco, promising future achievements in the sport.
Widad Bertal’s victory at the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships signifies a monumental achievement for Moroccan women’s boxing, following a series of successes in both national and international competitions. Her dedication, along with colleague Hasna Larti’s bronze medal, emphasizes the growing talent within the sport, and the recognition of officials like Oumaima Smlali reflects the overall progress in boxing disciplines in Morocco. This championship not only celebrates individual achievements but also inspires future aspirations for upcoming Olympic games.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
