Debswana, BoBA reward 2014/15 star boxer

Eastern Military Garrison (EMG) Boxing Club’s middleweight, Zibani Chikanda’s patience and hard work finally paid off when he was bestowed the Boxer of the Year Award at the Debswana Boxing Awards ceremony over the weekend.

After years of blood and sweat in the boxing ring, the military man proved that he has certainly matured like fine wine having experienced a stellar 2015 season which saw him finish in third place at the 2015 All Africa Games (AAG).

Moreover, the power punching Chikanda managed to get a silver medal at the African Confederation Boxing Championships in Casablanca, Morocco. Closer to home, the 30-year old managed to grab a gold medal at the Zone IV Games in South Africa.

It was a combined award ceremony that also recognised outstanding performers from 2014, with the Boxer of the Year Award for last year going to the abundantly talented pugilist Kagiso Bagwasi. It was a fulfilling recognition for the budding Bagwasi who beat tough competition from the likes of Mooketsi Lekgetho and Oteng Oteng to win the prestigious award.

The southpaw who is coached by 2015 Coach of the Year Thebe Setlalekgosi, has enjoyed consistent success ever since bursting onto the local boxing scene three years.

Kagiso and his younger sibling Kabelo Bagwasi have been a staple in the national team and the main attraction at BoBA interclub tournaments. Ever since being introduced to the sweet science back in 2009, Bagwasi has grown from strength to strength under the guidance of Setlalekgosi.

This year Bagwasi won a bronze medal at the 2015 All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo. The 22-year-old athletic pugilist also came third at the African Confederation Championship in Morocco earlier this year. His crowning moment was garnering a gold medal at the 2015 African Zone 4 Games in South Africa.

Bagwasi is now expected to qualify for next year’s 2016 Rio, Brazil Olympic games. Other 2014 winners on the night include: Female Promising Boxer of the Year, Keamogetse Kenosi; Male Promising Boxer of the Year, Mohammad Otukile; Female Boxer of the Year, Pearl Morake; Coach of the Year, Lechedzani ‘Master’ Luza; Best Judge Hlanganani Digwere and Etsogile Ngwako who won the Best Referee award.

The 2015 award winners include Orapeleng Ketshametse who scooped the Female Promising Boxer award; Mohammed Otukile the Male Promising Boxer of the year; Female boxer of the year for Koketso Dipogiso; Coach of the Year, Thebe Setlalekgosi; Best Judge Hlanganani Digwere and Best Referee, Etsogile Ngwako.