Botswana’s senior boxing team excelled at the 2025 Zone IV Championships, winning seven medals, including two golds. The performance showcased the growth of both male and female boxers. The team ranked second overall, improving from the last championships. Upcoming events, such as the IBA Women’s World Championships, indicate continued opportunities for local boxers.
Botswana’s senior national boxing team achieved remarkable success by securing seven medals at the 2025 Zone IV Championships held in Mozambique. The team, which included eight boxers, earned two gold medals through Keobakeng Philip (60kg) and Kobamelo Molatlhegi (48kg) categories. This significant performance highlights Botswana’s potential in boxing.
Others on the podium included Kutlwano Sekhutlo (63kg) and Gift Modise (57kg), who both claimed silver medals after losing in their finals. Ribbin Modise, Mmoloki Sekwaipe, and Letlhogonolo Makgaola earned bronze medals by not making it to the finals. Unfortunately, Dorcus Tlhabologo did not compete due to injury.
Among the seven medals, three were won by female boxers, underscoring the growth of women’s boxing in Botswana. The competition featured five participating countries: Botswana, Lesotho, eSwatini, Mozambique, and Seychelles. This diverse representation illustrates the regional interest in boxing.
Botswana Boxing Association spokesperson Gaone Motshwanaesi expressed her satisfaction with the team’s output: “Of course, we are impressed with the development of boxers because most of them are new to the team… so that gave coaches ample time to put the boxers in good condition ahead of the competition.”
The team’s achievement placed Botswana in second overall, behind Mozambique, an improvement from the previous championship where they secured six medals (one gold, two silver, and three bronze). This shows a trajectory of growth for Botswana’s boxing.
As Botswana prepares for the upcoming IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia, from 8th to 16th March, the success at the Zone IV Championships is timely. Gift Modise and Phekie Bele are poised to leverage their recent victories as motivation in this demanding global arena. Additionally, following their absence from the Africa Elite Boxing Championships in October 2024 due to financial constraints, this opportunity to compete against top-tier fighters is crucial for the national team.
Botswana’s boxing team demonstrated significant progress at the 2025 Zone IV Championships by securing seven medals, including two golds, reflecting the promise of both male and female boxers. Their overall second-place finish marks a positive trend for the nation’s boxing capabilities. With future competitions, including the IBA Women’s World Championships, upcoming fighters can draw inspiration from their recent achievements to further elevate Botswana’s standing in boxing.
Original Source: thevoicebw.com
