In a very conservative and rather traditional society and country like Afghanistan it’s not only the physical training aspect of Western boxing that makes it a challenge.
It can be more than just a challenge. At times it can be even life-threatening if you are an Afghan female and striving to become the best boxer you can be.
A group of Afghan girls and women doing just that are simply known as the ‘Burqa Boxers’.
The burqa is the outer clothing worn by women in some Islamic traditions to cover their bodies in public places and yes, that would include countries such as Afghanistan.
Well, the girls and women we’re talking about today are certainly respecting that part of it all, even or especially while training.
However, even within their own families some of these female boxers are experiencing harsh criticism to say the least.
At times they have received extreme threats that prevent them from training, as in the view of their critics in their home country of Afghanistan the boxers are not complying with Islamic law and traditions.
To me these boxers and coaches appear to be very dedicated and most of their friends and families to be supportive of their pursuit to be the best that they can be.
Chilling memories become all too real, when you think of them training at Kabul’s Ghazni stadium where years ago the Taliban would execute women.
At this same place, 17-year old Olympic hopeful for this year’s London games Sadaf Rahimi trains among dusty floors, broken mirrors and hardly lit hallways.
It didn’t surprise me when I heard that there is a lack of appropriate training equipment. They don’t even seem to have a boxing ring.
And yet Rahimi and her peers are determined to continue to float like a butterflies and sting like a bees.
We all know that boxing, wrestling, judo and even Taekwondo have been celebrated Olympic sports.
I have been asking myself for many years when karate would get a shot at being part of the Olympic family.
But it looks like with all the different organizations out there with their own agenda it will probably continue to stand in its own way.
Along with the fact that they would need one clear direction and mission statement presented to the IOC by spokespersons with clout.
Clout? Well, would you agree that somebody like Jackie Chan has clout to get people’s attention that would help Wushu become an Olympic discipline?
Wushu organizers were able to put on an international tournament during the Beijing Games in 2008 and showcase what Wushu competition is all about.
There seem to be competing Wushu organizations who might just drop their own personal agenda for the big goal and that would be the Olympic Games in the foreseeable future.
Your thoughts and comments are always welcome here (but you knew that already).
“Tonight I have the honour to announce that the Games of the 31st Olympiad
are awarded to the city of Rio de Janeiro,” IOC President Jacques Rogge said.
My heartfelt congratulations go out to the people of Brazil in general and the
citizens of Rio de Janeiro in specific.
When I think of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, what immediately comes to my mind:
Pele and artistic Brazilian soccer football, Copacabana, super-model Gisele Buendchen,
the famous song “The girl from Ipanema”, churrasco, Carnival in Rio, and …
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, of course.
The Gracie familiy members have done herculean work in laying the foundation
and together with their Machado cousins spreading the now immensely successful
and, just ask any of their opponents, very effective martial art.
BJJ founder Helio Gracie must have a really big smile on his face right now!
So, the Olympic Games 2016 have been awarded to the mesmerizing metropolis
of Rio de Janeiro and that leads me to the following question:
Can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu become an Olympic discipline ?
And why not?
Just look back at the Olympics 1964 in Tokyo when Judo became an official
discipline and has stayed one ever since!
Or how about the Korean martial art of Taekwondo that first was a demo sport
during the 1988 Olympic Games of Seoul, Korea and then just 12 years later
officially became an Olympic discipline in 2000 during the Sydney, Australia games.
By the way, this recognition came less than 50 years after Taekwondo was first
officially introduced to the world.
