Lone female boxer eyes Commonwealth glory

Lone Fiji female amateur boxer Jasmine Daunakamakama has set her sights on a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23-August 2.

Daunakamakama will compete in the women's 57kg division and believes success begins long before stepping into the ring.

“I want to dominate the ring, and this starts with my mental preparation,” she said.

“I’m expecting my opponents to be just as strong and skilful.”

Despite anticipating tough opposition, the 21-year-old remains confident in her preparation and the lessons she has learned throughout her boxing journey.

“It’s been a roller coaster of lessons, trials and errors, but it has been beautiful, and I’ve grown so much through the sport,” she said.

“This isn’t my first international event, so I’ve learned a lot along the way in my third year as an elite boxer.”

Daunakamakama, who hails from Bau in Tailevu and has maternal links to Samoa, said she has focused on every aspect of her preparation ahead of the Games.

“I’m just taking the experiences from my past and making sure that I’m ticking all the boxes with my training, diet and mental preparation,” she said.

“My first international competition was the Olympic qualifiers for the Paris Olympics.”

Daunakamakama has been boxing competitively for five years after taking up the sport at the age of 16 with Kwadjo Boxing Club.

She later represented Army Boxing Club and is now with Bati Boxing, where she also coaches.

The foundations of her boxing career, however, were laid much earlier.

Her father, Panapasa Daunakamakama, introduced her to the basics of boxing when she was nine years old.

She said boxing has become a form of self-expression.

“I’ve taken time to reflect on my internal state and how I can learn better ways to express myself in the ring as I see boxing as my craft,” she said.

“I’m always exploring new ways to show my creativity in the ring.”

As the only woman in Fiji's boxing squad for the Games, Daunakamakama said she values the support and respect she receives from her male teammates.

“They respect me as a boxer and they do push me to a certain extent,” she said.

She also shared the message that motivates her every time she steps into the ring.

“The main message is to know who you’re fighting for, whether it’s your family, country or yourself. Do it with a sense of pride and confidence.”