US-based Bangladeshi boxer Zinnat Ferdous has made history for Bangladesh by clinching the bronze medal at the prestigious XIX International Silesian Women’s Boxing Championships held in Gliwice, Poland. This marks what is likely Bangladesh’s first medal from the European Boxing Confederation.
The Silesian Open, a notable international women’s boxing tournament, took place from September 2 to September 8. The event saw participation from 17 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa, including past Olympic champions.
In the tournament, Zinnat competed in the 52kg weight category, which is above her usual fighting weight. She secured her bronze medal by winning her quarter-final bout against Kata Pap from Hungary with a decisive 5-0 unanimous decision. Although she lost in the semi-final to Daria-Olha Hutarina from Ukraine, Zinnat’s performance was commendable.
“This is a groundbreaking tournament, marking a historic moment in women’s amateur boxing,” Zinnat stated after her return to New York. The event was the first to host no-headgear bouts since the rule change by the International Boxing Association, which abolished headgear in women’s boxing as of June 2024.
Zinnat expressed her intent to compete in the 50kg weight class in future tournaments and highlighted the significance of this achievement for Bangladesh in the global boxing arena.