New York-based boxer Zinnat Ferdous is determined to change global perception about the female boxers from Bangladesh and shed the underdog tag.
She believes that participating in international competitions is more important than winning medals.
鈥業 want to do things right. I feel like I鈥檓 always an underdog. As people say, she鈥檚 not going to win because I am from Bangladesh. But when I do well and reach the finals, they say, oh, she鈥檚 good,鈥� said Zinnat, who won five gold medals across seven international tournaments in South Africa, the Dominican Republic, Poland, and Portugal.
鈥業t happens at every tournament. Then they look surprised when I tell them I鈥檓 from Bangladesh. It makes me happy that I鈥檓 changing perceptions about our country,鈥� Zinnat told 抖阴精品.
鈥楽o, it makes me feel good, and now I forget about the medals; I want to change perceptions by competing on the international stage, by showing that a female boxer from Bangladesh can excel and fight.鈥�
The 31-year-old started her boxing journey at the age of 27. Zinnat鈥檚 first campaign for Bangladesh was unsuccessful at the 19th Asian Games in China in 2023, where she was eliminated in the preliminary round of the women鈥檚 50kg category.
However, she has since shown progress in her brief career.
鈥楽ince making my debut for Bangladesh, my boxing journey has only gone upwards. I have competed in seven international tournaments, and I have won medals in five of those. It鈥檚 been a very positive journey. I see myself improving. Yes, I was disappointed that I couldn鈥檛 do better at the Asian Games,鈥� she said.
She made her home debut at the National Boxing Championships on Tuesday, four years after representing Bangladesh.
Zinnat, representing the Goodwell Boxing Club of Narsingdi in the national championship, comfortably defeated Bangladesh Army boxer Asia Khatun in the semi-final of the women鈥檚 52kg category.
She will face Bangladesh Ansar boxer Afra Khandokar, the elder sister of Bangladesh football captain Afeida Khandokar, in today鈥檚 final at the Muhammad Ali Boxing Stadium in Dhaka.
Zinnat has now set her sights on representing Bangladesh at the Olympics, despite working 55 hours a week at Google as a full-time programmer, training for four hours each day, and spending time with her family.
鈥業 feel I鈥檓 stronger now; I understand the techniques more. When I see a girl, I can tell her style and know what I should do,鈥� said Zinnat.
鈥楳y goal is to reach the Olympics. And, you might think I鈥檓 crazy when I tell you I work 55 hours a week for Google, besides doing boxing鈥� I try to balance everything and make it work.
鈥業 typically run and train, and then in the evenings, I work US hours managing a programme at Google. It鈥檚 quite challenging. Balancing everything is tough, but sometimes it鈥檚 necessary to make sacrifices like this,鈥� she added.
