becomes the Botswana’s first ever female boxer to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games
BONGANI MALUNGA
Lethabo Modukanele became Botswana’s only competitor to record an individual medal haul at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Modukanele earned a bronze medal at the competition after advancing to the semifinals of the women’s minimumweight category.
The local boxer had easily disposed of her Sri Lanka counterpart Nadeeka Pushpakumari in the quarterfinals. She then proceeded to the semifinals where she was stopped by English opponent Demie Jade Resztan.
Female pioneer
Modukanele created a special moment of history as she became Botswana’s first ever female boxer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games. By garnering a bronze medal, the female boxer has registered Botswana’s seventh boxing medal in the history of the competition. She has followed in the footsteps of many illustrious local boxers who have made a mark in the competition.
A history of Botswana’s boxers at the Games
Botswana has an impressive list of boxers who have picked up medals in the Commonwealth Games over the years. The first boxer to win a medal was France Mabiletsa in the 1994 edition as he walked away with a bronze medal in the men’s light heavyweight category.
Lechedzani Master Luza earned a silver medal in the men’s flyweight category in the 2002 edition held in Manchester, England. Gilbert Khunwane (men’s lightweight) also walked away with a bronze medal in the 2002 competition. The Melbourne 2006 competition saw Mmoloki Nogeng win a bronze medal in the men’s bantamweight category. Fours years later in Delhi Tirafalo Seoko (bantamweight) and Oteng Oteng (flyweight) earned silver and bronze medals respectively.