Oumaima Smlali has been recognized as the Best Referee at the World Boxing Championship in Serbia. Alongside her honor, Moroccan boxers Widad Bertal and Hasnaa Larti won gold and bronze medals respectively. The Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation expressed pride in their achievements despite challenges faced during the tournament.
Moroccan boxing referee Oumaima Smlali has been awarded the title of Best Referee at the World Boxing Championship, held from March 9 to 16 in Nis, Serbia. This recognition was confirmed by the Moroccan Royal Boxing Federation via a statement on their social media, where they praised Smlali as “an example of dedication and sporting excellence.”
Furthermore, this honor complements Morocco’s achievements at the tournament, where boxers Widad Bertal and Hasnaa Larti also excelled. Bertal claimed a gold medal in the 54kg category, while Larti secured a bronze in the 81kg weight class. Both athletes showcased impressive performances throughout the competition.
After her gold medal win, Bertal expressed her pride, dedicating her triumph to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people. She stated, “This gold medal is for the first sportsman, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan people, and everyone who supported me.”
Bertal also conveyed her ambition, affirming, “This is just the beginning,” as she aims for further success and additional titles in her boxing career. The Moroccan boxing team has set high aspirations for the future, aiming to build on their recent accomplishments.
Nabil Hilmi, Vice President of the Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation, praised Bertal and Larti for their performances, acknowledging the difficulties they faced. He remarked, “Winning these medals was not easy, even though our goal was to achieve more.” Hilmi explained that Morocco almost secured two additional medals but encountered challenges such as inexperience and tough matchups against high-ranking opponents.
He concluded with an optimistic outlook: “We hope to build on this success and achieve even better results in the future for both the men’s and women’s teams.”
Oumaima Smlali’s recognition as Best Referee exemplifies Morocco’s growing prominence in boxing, complemented by the medal achievements of Widad Bertal and Hasnaa Larti. The country’s boxing federation aims to build upon this success as they prepare for future competitions, despite the challenges faced in the current tournament. There is a strong focus on nurturing talent and enhancing performance for the Moroccan teams moving forward.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
