Trailblazing boxer Jasmine Daunakamakama hopes her historic Commonwealth Games bronze medal will inspire more women and girls across Fiji to step into the boxing ring.
The 21-year-old made history as the first Fijian woman to represent the country in international boxing and added another milestone to her career by securing a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow early this morning Fiji time.
Although she was defeated by Northern Ireland’s reigning featherweight champion Michaela Walsh in the semi-finals, Daunakamakama’s run to the last four guaranteed her a place on the podium and cemented her place in Fiji’s sporting history.
Speaking after the unanimous points loss, an emotional Daunakamakama described the achievement as both rewarding and heartbreaking.
“It’s a bittersweet moment,” she said.
“I’m very proud of myself for entering this competition with only a little over 20 bouts.
“On paper, I may be quite inexperienced, but I am proud that my mana carried me through this far into this competition.”
Her bronze medal continues Fiji’s proud boxing tradition at the Commonwealth Games. Fine Sani claimed gold in the light heavyweight division at the 1982 Brisbane Games, while Winston Hill won bronze in the welterweight division at the 2018 Gold Coast Games.
Daunakamakama fought back tears after her final bout and was embraced by coach Cameron Todd in an emotional moment away from the crowd.
Despite taking up boxing just three years ago, she defeated Ghana’s Adelaide Djabatey and Sri Lanka’s Keshani Hansika on her way to the semi-finals, ensuring Fiji would once again feature among the medal winners.
She said the encouragement she received from fellow Pacific athletes throughout the Games strengthened her resolve.
“Before walking into this competition, I knew I carried a lot of responsibility as one of the most experienced female boxers in Fiji,” she said.
“It’s a great reminder of how much pride and unity we carry as Pacific Islanders.
“No matter how far we are from home, we still unite as one and continue to push ourselves in this sport.”
Daunakamakama hopes her breakthrough achievement will encourage more Fijian women to pursue boxing and prove that they too can succeed on the international stage.
“I hope that when I get home, this will inspire the next generation,” she said.
