Tina Rahimi would be the first Muslim lady to field for Australia at a Commonwealth Video games, having been referred to as as much as the staff on Tuesday simply 4 years after her first battle.
Key factors:
- Rahimi is considered one of 4 girls chosen in Australia’s boxing staff for July’s Commonwealth Video games
- She has a 15-2 win-loss report since her first battle in 2018
- Rahimi will likely be joined by Kristy Harris, Tokyo Olympian Caitlin Parker, and 37-year-old Kaye Scott, who’s competing at her third Comm Video games
The boxer from Bass Hill in Sydney, who competes within the 57kg division, is considered one of eight Video games debutants within the boxing staff of 4 girls and 7 males.
Rahimi, 26, took up the game for health whereas working as a make-up artist and quickly developed a ardour, and deliberate to show skilled, just for COVID-19 and the looming Video games to intervene along with her plans.
“From the second I began, I’ve not stopped. I simply liked it,” Rahimi instructed The Each day Telegraph.
“I used to be fairly good at it and went to a battle night time and it actually motivated me.
“I felt like I might do it properly and began coaching and had my first battle in 2018.
“I’ve all the time embraced the physicality. I used to be by no means scared to get hit. I even sparred with the boys and I might get hit by a punch and nonetheless come ahead.”
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With a 15-2 win-loss report, Rahimi has now set her sights on the Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham this July.
She mentioned being the primary Muslim lady to characterize Australia within the occasion might encourage extra girls and women from all backgrounds to take up the game.
“I do know that I’ve the potential and functionality to get the gold, so I’ve actually devoted myself to the game,” she mentioned.
“It is a massive group. I’ve to put on the hijab to cowl my hair and have my legs and arms coated as properly, so I do stand out.
“I really feel like it might present something is feasible when you put your thoughts to it. That you are able to do something. That simply since you costume or look a special means, come from a special faith, that does not imply it ought to cease you reaching your dream.”
It’s the second Australian staff announcement for Birmingham, after final week’s affirmation of the weightlifting representatives.
Australia will ship 425 athletes to the July 26 to August 8 Video games.
Rahimi’s fellow Sydney fighter, Kaye Scott, 37, will develop into solely the second Australian boxer to compete at three Commonwealth Video games.
Scott gained bronze within the 70kg division on the 2018 Gold Coast Video games and can compete within the 69kg class at Birmingham, whereas Victorian and Tokyo Olympian Caitlin Parker is again after her silver within the 75kg class 4 years in the past.
At 19, South Australian Callum Peters is the youngest member of the boxing staff and he’ll compete within the 75kg division.
AAP/ABC
