Ex-ZBF boss Chileshe hails bronze medal winning boxers

Former Zambia Boxing Federation President Thomas Chileshe has hailed Team Zambia’s boxers for securing the country’s only two medals at the just-ended Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Team Zambia’s entire medal haul came from the ring, with Catherine Mwape and Emmanuel…

Former Zambia Boxing Federation President Thomas Chileshe has hailed Team Zambia’s boxers for securing the country’s only two medals at the just-ended Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Team Zambia’s entire medal haul came from the ring, with Catherine Mwape and Emmanuel Katema, both claiming bronze.

Mwape made history as the first Zambian female boxer to win a Commonwealth Games medal after reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s 54kg division. She lost to India’s Preeti Preeti.

Katema added a second bronze in the men’s 65kg category following a hard-fought semi-final defeat to England’s Patris Mughalzai.

Speaking in Ndola, Chileshe said winning at the Commonwealth Games is never easy.

“The boxers have done well. We cannot complain. Moreover, it is not easy to get a medal at the Commonwealth Games. I know we couldn’t get gold like we did in Manchester in 2002. It is not a failure, it is an achievement.”

The former ZBF chief reminded Zambians of the country’s rich boxing pedigree on the Commonwealth stage, citing past legends.

“From the archive Zambia is very strong in boxing. This is a testament and a fact about Zambia and boxing, let’s look back to the time of Lottie Mwale, Charm ‘Shuffle’ Chiteule or even the time of Kennedy Kanyanta, we are very talented in boxing.”

Zambia’s boxing history at the Games includes historic gold medals from Lottie Mwale in 1974 and recent podium finishes such as silver and bronze at Birmingham 2022.

Chileshe, however, urged the medalists not to get comfortable.

“Our boxers should not wear the pride for now until they achieve greater things. If they relax, pride will drop them down. Let them reach the sky.”