By Michael Uugwanga
It has been a month since Mischa Monique Araes made history as the first Namibian female boxer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, but the significance of her achievement continues to resonate.
Araes may have fallen short of a silver or gold medal after losing to British boxer Ruby White in the semi-finals, but simply reaching the last four was a major achievement for a young boxer from a country where opportunities for female boxers remain limited.
For Araes, the bronze medal represents much more than a personal accomplishment. It is a statement that women and girls have a place in the boxing ring.
The Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 2 August, with Namibia winning three medals, all through boxing.
TryAgain Ndevlo claimed silver, while Phillip Haoseb and Araes won bronze medals.
Araes, who was born in Keetmanshoop before moving to Swakopmund with her parents around 2014, is still being celebrated along the coast.
She has been taking part in roadshows alongside Ndevlo and Haoseb as Namibia continues to celebrate the country’s boxing success.
Boxing has traditionally been viewed as a man’s sport, but that perception has gradually changed as more women have entered the ring and established themselves at the highest level.
Among them is American Claressa Shields, widely regarded as one of the biggest names in women’s boxing. Shields has become a multiple-time world champion and one of the sport’s most successful female fighters.
Araes believes her Commonwealth Games medal can help encourage more Namibian girls to take up boxing.
“My bronze medal, together with the team’s success, which is the three of us, Ndevelo, Haoseb and me, came from boxing. From a female or girl-child side, my medal win already tells a picture that women also belong in boxing,” Araes said.
“Boxing is all about discipline, heart and technique. Boxing has nothing to do with gender. The more girls see us on that podium, the faster that stigma disappears.”
A month after her historic achievement, Araes is already thinking beyond the Commonwealth Games. Rather than immediately turning professional, she wants to remain in amateur boxing and gain more experience before making the next big move.
