Teenage boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore, a product of the monthly Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) title, made the podium at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with the bronze medal in the women’s lightweight. The 20-year-old pugilist spoke about her experience in Birmingham cum future dreams and aspirations. OLALEKAN OKUSAN writes.
In her first bout at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games against Botswana’s Aratwa Kasemang, Cynthia Ogunsemilore was merciless as her punches dazed her opponent that the referee had to stop the bout and awarded it to the debuting Nigerian teenager.
That particular win put her in the medal zone as she was pitched against home girl Amy Broadhurst in the semifinal. A determined Nigerian pugilist entered the ring with the hope of doing the impossible against the experienced opponent who also had the support of the home fans.
But at the end of the three-round bout, it was the home girl that won and this decision angered Ogunsemilore who cried profusely over the loss. But she was pacified by national coach Tony Konyegwachie for her to take solace in the bronze medal.
I started boxing at the age of 12 in 2013,” Ogunsemilore said.“I never had it in mind to be a boxer but my father and my coach were childhood friends as they used to box together.
“It was in November 2013 before the death of my dad that he came looking for an opponent for one of his female boxers. The coach saw me and said that I have the height for boxing,” she said.
But the young Ogunsemilore was not convinced as she was afraid that her face would be battered by going into boxing.
“I did not want them to spoil my face but the coach persuaded me that my face would not be battered,” she narrated.
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With encouragement from her father, she embraced pugilism and she enthused about the possibility of becoming one of the sport’s emerging lights.
She said: “I wish to be the national champion, African champion and I want the whole world to know me .I want to fly the Nigerian flag in different countries. I wish to win many international and world titles. ”
Three years later after her breakthrough, Ogunsemilore fought her way to the national camp and was part of the team at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom (UK).
The bronze medallist at the 2018 National Sports Festival described her experience in Birmingham as worthwhile being her maiden international outing.
“Making the team to the Commonwealth Games through national trials was not that easy but I thank God, I made it to my first international tournament,” she admitted. “At Birmingham, I had the best two weeks of my life experiencing the Commonwealth Games.
“Not just from my event but being there and witnessing the highs and lows of other athletes, watching how other athletes act and prepare before their competition.
“I must also admit that all my fights were tough at the Commonwealth Games but my toughest fight was my semifinal against Amy Broadhurst of Northern Island.
“After the fight, I was initially disappointed in myself but later I thought to myself that at least I made it to the podium.
“I believe that if we have had enough preparation for the competition I may win the gold,” she added.
Other lessons Ogunsemilore picked from Birmingham include early preparation: “We must prepare very well for this kind of competition while I also learnt that you should never underestimate your opponent. You must always listen to your coach because they see what you are not seeing.”
Ogunsemilore is eagerly looking forward to the 2023 African Games in Ghana: “I think if we have enough financial support from the government as some sports do, that will allow us to attend many international competitions and that will bring back the old glory of boxing in Nigeria.”