Bright festival, dedicated to International Boxing Day, took place in Kinshasa. DR Congo hosted a great sports celebration with honored guests from all over the world and local boxing fans.

The guests were welcomed to Africa with traditional music and dancing. The boxers from DR Congo and other African countries, who met in the spectacular fights, became the headliners of the program.

‘I am happy that International Boxing Day showed us again the unity and strength of our Boxing Family. We will continue to develop boxing in every country, so our athletes can have the best conditions to improve their skills. One day, there will be no corner in the world that wouldn’t have their champions,’ IBA President Umar Kremlev said.

World and Olympic champion Estelle Mossely became a special guest at the celebration.

‘International Boxing Day inspires in me a moment of sharing, of passion, of exchange between boxers, coaches, managers and officials to get to know each other, the big family of boxing. It is also a time of celebration of our sport where we highlight all the work done by this big family, through the coaches who travel to bring their boxers to competition and train them; through the boxers who work hard to achieve their dreams; through the National Federations guided by the IBA which contributes to the proper functioning of our sport,’ Mossely said.

Boxers from Africa showed courage and technique in front of the spectators. In the women’s 50kg category, Nyembo Gisèle from DR Congo won Teddy Nakimuli from Uganda. Another Congolese woman, Sakobi Marcelat celebrated a victory in 57kg against Nigerian Elisabeth Oshoba. Alcinda Helena Pangwana from Mozambique defeated Congolese Mbabi Brigitte in 70kg by RSC.

In men’s 63,5kg, Collin Louis Richarno from Mauritius won Congolese Mbaya Fiston, while in 71kg Tiago Muxanga from Mozambique defeated Tshama David from DR Congo. In the final fight of the day, Congolese Peter Pita Kabeji delighted the home crowd with his victory over Fotouo Totap from Cameroon. The Minister of Sports of DR Congo Serge Nkonde greeted the public after the fights.

More than 50 other countries from all continents joined the celebrations. Kazakhstan organized a charity event, the champions met with the public foundation “Happy Home”, which educates children with disabilities. The Kazakhstan Boxing Federation donated sports equipment, and the champions had training with kids. In Egypt, Muslim boxers celebrated the day with women’s training. Boxers from India went to Iran to hold a joint training camp. The national team of Qatar held training for the public.

In Denmark, 110 boxing clubs were invited to participate in the country’s celebration. In Zimbabwe, athletes celebrated the sport of boxing nearby Victoria waterfalls. The Dominican Republic held a meeting with top boxers and with NOC President and Minister of Sports. They also organized exhibition fights. French Polynesia hold a public training on the island of Raiatea and Tahiti.

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