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Boxing open to women
Photos & text by Angy Tse, Candy Tong, Eldon Chim & Iris Cheng
With the fast moving steps and jabs, winner will be determined within a second.
Donning a vest, trunks, boots and boxing gloves, Jovy Tang steps into the boxing ring under the spotlight to begin a match with her teammate. She started boxing by joining a women’s boxing class half a year ago.
Boxing is typically thought of as a sport for men because of its toughness and great demand of energy. However, it is no surprise to see Ms. Tang and other female boxers fully dressed fighting and sweating at Pei Ho Street Services Building in Shum Shui Po. They practice every Wednesday and Friday night.
They are students of a female boxing class offered by the Ching Wai Boxing Association. It has been the only women’s boxing association in Hong Kong since its establishment in 1998.
According to James Weng, founder and coach of the association, it was established unexpectedly.
“I started to teach my female friends boxing in 1998. A newspaper reported about us, attracting more people to join,” said Mr. Weng. He officially established the association later in the year, and there are now roughly 20 members.
Ms. Tang started boxing because she wants to maintain good health. Mr. Weng predicts that the sport will become more popular because modern women are increasingly aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Mr. Weng trains female boxers separately from males.
“Men and women have different physical constitutions. Women have more flexible joints, which are good for exerting strength,” said he.
Apart from the level of toughness, training female boxers is different in other ways.
“I have to give reasons behind every training practice to make the female boxers follow my instructions.
“Women concentrate more in general,” said Mr. Weng.
Regular training enables female boxers to participate in various tournaments. Tse Hoi Wah was one of the boxers representing Hong Kong at the 2001 Asian Women’s Boxing Championship in Bangkok.
She did not win a prize because of her lack of experience. However, her coach thinks that there will be other chances because the differences in physical strength between women of different countries is insignificant.
“It is easier for Hong Kong female boxers than male boxers to win,” said Mr. Weng.
Despite the efforts of the association to promote women’s boxing locally, it is not widely accepted yet.
“My friends think it’s weird of me to box. They think women should not box because it is too rough,” said Ms. Tang.