Boxing: Introduction and Its Way into Olympics
Boxing is one of the most popular sports in Olympics. Boxing, a combat sport and martial art, is a game in which two people fight with the help of fists in a boxing ring. Skilled boxers knock each other on proper techniques. A referee is assigned to supervise the Boxers during different rounds of two to three minutes interval. A boxing competition can be won by a boxer in three ways; knockout (If one of the boxers is unable to get up before the referee counts to ten seconds), technical Knockout (If one of the boxers becomes too injured to continue), the winning decision is made by the referee or by judge’s scorecards if the fight does not stop after the agreed number of rounds.
Boxers are not allowed to hit below the belt. They are prohibited from holding, tripping, biting, pushing, wrestling or spitting. The opponent cannot hit the groin area as well. Rabbit punch i.e. hitting from the back is banned in boxing. If the boxer violates the game rules, the referee can announce fouls. In case of a foul, a referee is allowed to issue warnings, deduct game points, or even disqualify a boxer, judging the seriousness and intention. It is compulsory to wear hand wraps, gloves, groin protectors, soft soled shoes and mouth guards in a professional boxing competition. AIBA governs the boxing at Olympics and all rules are made by them.
The male boxers will compete from light fly weight to super heavy weight in 10 classes. Male bouts of three three-minute rounds will take place. Each point will be gained by a punch on other boxer’s head or upper body. There will be three weight classes for females and bouts will take place over four two-minute rounds. Each point will be gained by a punch on other opponent’s head or upper body.
The history of Boxing goes back to ancient Rome and Greece. It was played during holiday celebrations. Many games ended with the death of one boxer. A Roman emperor banned it before Christian era and boxing disappeared. Later on, it was revived again as a sport in 1700s in England.
The first Olympic boxing competitions were held in 1904 Olympics. Seven competitions were contested only among American boxers. Athletes competed for eleven sets of medals in 1904 and were divided into weight classes. Women’s boxing was included in 1904 as a demonstration sport. However, women never appeared in Olympic Boxing afterwards. Since then only men’s boxing was included at every Summer Olympics other than 1912.
The recent Olympic boxing events were held in Beijing in 2008. Eleven boxing competitions were included and medals were awarded in each of them. 286 male boxers participated in it. Chinese spectators added a buzz to the competitions. China won most of the Gold and Silver medals. For the first time in Olympic history, Cuba did not win any Gold medal. France won three medals for the first time in Olympics.
Women Boxers are close to enter the Summer Olympics in London, 2012. The International Olympic Committee has added women’s schedule in it. Twelve Amateur female boxers are expected to compete in three weight classes. These weight classes are flyweight, lightweight and middleweight.
Adequate training is required for the boxers to play professionally, successfully and technically. All sports including boxing should be promoted as they create a better world to live. Expectantly women boxing debut will be remembered for many years to come. All we can hope for and say is that boxing events at the 2012 summer Olympics will go smoothly and they will turn out to be worth watching events with an excellent level of competition all around.
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