- Tweeter
republish
Marine Fatoumata Camara won the silver medal on Thursday, August 29th in the 57kg boxing tournament final. The woman, who was beaten by Botswana's Keamogetse Sadie Kenosi, was playing her first official competition at the age of 24 under the colors of Mali, her father's home country.
From our special envoy to Morocco,
Surrounded by the members of her team, Marine Fatoumata Camara regained her spirits after her fight and her silver medal. Shy, thin voice, she was willing to photograph to immortalize a moment not so trivial.
First official competition with Mali
In the world of Malian boxing, Marine Fatoumata Camara will remain the first girl to win a medal at the African Games . For her first outing with Mali, and her first official competition, she finished a beautiful course. " I had a lot of pressure and my goal was to make a grand entrance. Even if there is no gold, I think it's successful. I hope it's the beginning of a big series, "says the boxer .
The one who came in the final after defeating Ugandan Colerta Nali Jallia and Cameroonian Stephanie Dorine Mambou in the semi-finals, in the 57 kg category, had long dreamed of wearing the colors of Mali. She was born to a French mother and a Malian father.
" I tried to defend the colors of Mali, but to no avail. Each time, I was told it was complicated, because there is no national boxing team. I was very hesitant because of the lack of infrastructure, but I always had that idea in mind. This time, I had the opportunity and I seized it directly ", explains the Franco-Malian. " It's a pride for me to enjoy my dual culture. I like my two countries. And I must say that I was wonderfully welcomed in Mali, "she says simply.
African Games: table tennis, emerging sport on the continent
" Marine ( Fatoumata Camara) is someone who has a lot of convictions and who works a lot. I hope she will show the way. If she can bring girls and boys to boxing gyms in Mali, that's good, "said coach Rachid Hallaf.
Boxing at the age of 14
Marine Fatoumata Camara started boxing at the age of 14. From now on, his eyes are focused on Dakar in 2020 for the Tokyo Games qualifying tournament. " I have five months of work in front of me and I have to go back to fight to win my place, " said the young woman determined to represent Mali at the highest level, not to mention his homeland.
Marine Fatoumata Camara thanks all the support from the Boxing Club Villeneuve Ablon, in the suburbs of Paris, where she trains. " My club is the family. I was encouraged even in times of doubt, "says the one who had returned to boxing in 2016 after a series of shoulder injuries. " And I want to make a big dedication to all my classmates who have also supported me from beginning to end, " adds the student in business management at Paris-Dauphine.
The hour of the official podium arrives, Marine Fatoumata Camara savor the moment while waiting for the continuation of her adventures with Mali.