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The boxer fighting to put women in the ring at London Olympics
Matthew Beard, Olympics Editor6 Aug 2009
When troubled teenager Hannah Beharry climbed into the boxing ring five years ago her dream was to fight for Britain in the Olympics.
Now she is poised to realise that ambition in her home city as women's boxing looks set to make its debut at the London Games.
Olympics chiefs will decide next week whether to admit about 40 women fighters to compete in 2012.
For Beharry, 22, from Acton, the significance of a decision in favour of women's boxing cannot be understated. She said: "Ever since I started my dream was to compete in the Olympics. For several years I had no idea women weren't allowed to compete at that level.
"I am pleading for the decision to go in our favour because in every other sport women have got something to look forward to. The Olympics is the ultimate stage and you need that dream and hope for the sport to thrive."
According to her coaches, Beharry would be good enough to compete for Great Britain in the Olympics.
A self-confessed violent teenager, Beharry left school with no qualifications and was sent to a youth reform centre in Park Royal, where she took up boxing to channel her aggression.
She spent a year sparring in public parks before her coach persuaded the All Stars Boxing Gym in West Kilburn to end its male-only policy.
Now based at the Tottenham Community Sports Centre, she is British No1 in the 48kg category and twice a European Union bronze medallist.
Olympic status would be just reward for the acceptance of women at boxing clubs in recent years, Beharry believes. As evidence, she points to a pair of young girls - watched by their mothers - jabbing at a punchbag, while another girl is among teenagers shadow boxing in the ring at the sports centre.
According to boxing chiefs, the number of registered women boxers has risen from 50 to 600 in the past four years in the UK and a third of clubs now accept female boxers.
Beharry said: "Attitudes have changed fast as people are realising that it can be a great form of exercise and self-defence. Once they try it they realise it's not as tough as they thought."
She also coaches hopefuls, including young offenders, although her time is increasingly dedicated to international travel as an elite boxer.
The case for women's boxing to make the Olympics is being driven by the sport's international federation, AIBA. Its bid for inclusion at the Beijing Games failed in 2005 when International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge decided the women's section of the sport was not competitive in enough countries, which could lead to potentially dangerous mismatches.
Since then, the number of nations whose women compete internationally at elite level has grown to 125 - almost double the minimum Olympic requirement. A women's competition in up to five weight categories is expected to feature about 40 fighters - the same number as in the men's competition.
As host nation, Great Britain would probably receive a single automatic qualification place but any others would be won through qualification with especially tough competition from eastern Europe and China.
Irish double world champion Katie Taylor, who is also a football international, would be a worthy contender and potential champion for the inaugural Olympic competition.
Rebecca Gibson, Britain's women's boxing development manager, said: "Part of London's bid was to be an inclusive Games but you can't live up to that if women are not allowed to compete in one of the events. If the vote goes in our favour - and I am quietly confident - it will make people think that we can achieve anything."
Reader views (4)
Also having seen Hannah on Natalie Cassidy's Real Britain, I've been inspired to reach all my goals in life. We back up Hannah 1 million percent with what she's aiming to do with her future and of others.
Well done Hannah! You know where i am when you need business start up advice and help 
- Inspiringyoungpeople.Co.Uk, London, UK, 11/08/2009 15:32
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i know miss beharry and she has my total support, shes a positive person, a potential role-model for our youth, i hope she realises her dream as there are so few passionate people in britain it seems these days, she deserves a medal for her spirit alone, good luck han, from your friend sj xxx
- Sarah Jane Clements, radford, 07/08/2009 14:08
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Having seen Hannah on T.V. a few months ago on Natalie Cassidy's Real Britain I was compelled to contact her via Facebook to commend her on her heart and passion for her chosen sport and to assure her that although their are haters and dream stealers out there, there are also very many more people who recognize and applaud that passion and that strong desire to really succeed when we see it so strongly in people like Hannah. To further create new opportunities for other women to become fitter stronger, more confident people through training sessions with Hannah deserves only more praise.
Britain may not be ready to see women bashing the heck out of each other BUT it most definitely IS ready to accept young sportswomen like Hannah Beharry into the Boxing arena where there are rules, time limits, a referee and NO guns, knives or desire to seriously hurt or mame the opponent, it is after all a point scoring sport where opponents are quite equally matched and prepared. If I were a parent with a young daughter would I want her fighting in the streets, selling and/or taking drugs and doing what ever else OR would I prefer that she went to a gym and did some form of physical training thereby living a healthier life with more positive people? Hmmm it’s a no-brainer isn’t it.
Being a forward thinking country can Britain really deny a Women’s boxing team in the London 2012 Olympics?? Please give all the women with this desire a chance to shine.
Good Luck Hannah
- Dave Donald, Doncaster England, 06/08/2009 23:47
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This is a great boost for womens boxing which has been long over due well done Hannah keep up what your doing wish you the best of luck
- Ayman Mahmoud, acton, London UK, 06/08/2009 21:50
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