The need for women to break barriers, deeply-rooted in traditional mindset, is a necessity in most part of the globe and Russian Olympic bronze medallist Anastasia Beliakova stands as a symbol of change in her country because of the power in her punches.
The 25-year-old, who is in Delhi to take part in the upcoming World women’s boxing championships, may have become a household name in Russia, following her bronze medal winning performance in women’s lightweight category, but she is still a little girl for her adoring grandmother.
Her grandmother was not pleased when Anastasia took up boxing as a 14-year-old. Even now, her grandmother worries about Anastasia’s health whenever she leaves home for any competition.
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So, did the Olympic medal make her grandmother happy?
“Of course, she was happy, but not completely because I had some injuries. My grandmother doesn’t care about what medal I bring home. She is only concerned about my health.
“My family is satisfied, but worry about my flights to different countries,” said Anastasia, who was taken to hospital after seriously injuring her left elbow during the 2016 Olympics semifinals bout against eventual champion Estelle Mossely in Rio de Janeiro.
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Anastasia was happy to have earned the respect of the boys she trained with. “I used to go for skiing. Tried boxing there and my coach said I had the calibre. I continued with boxing because boys around me started respecting me for being a girl who can do boxing.”
Anastasia feels there is still a big gap between men and women’s boxing. “Girls are much weaker than boys (physically) and women’s boxing is a little different. The opinion is 50-50 — some people respect women boxing and think women are powerful and some still think that girls don’t have to be in the sport of boxing,” said Anastasia.