Young boxer Bonolo packs a punch at National Championships

They say dynamite comes in small packages, and 16-year-old Bonolo Obusitse is living proof of this saying.

The petite powerhouse from Freedom Boxing Club has exploded onto the South African boxing scene, returning home from the South African National Boxing Organisation Cadets and Juniors Championships with yet another gold medal around her neck.

This latest victory marks her third national gold, a remarkable achievement for the young athlete who competes in the 46-kilogram division. Bonolo dominated her opponents at the tournament, winning all three of her bouts in convincing fashion and cementing her reputation as one of the most promising young female boxers in the country.

What makes her success even more impressive is her training environment. Bonolo doesn’t have any female sparring partners. Instead, she sharpens her skills against boys at her club, a factor she believes makes her tougher, faster, and more confident in the ring.

“It was a really tough competition. There were very strong athletes there, but I managed to defeat all of them,” Bonolo said with a smile.

She added that her final bout was the toughest of the tournament, but she managed to stay calm and focus on landing her punches.

Her coach, Raymond Mothobi, couldn’t hide his pride.

“I am very proud of Bonolo for winning gold in this division. I could see it coming while standing there. She was fighting like a machine. She trained hard for three months and was incredibly fit. Some opponents even complained that she was hitting too hard,” he said, laughing. “I am sure that in 2026 she will defend her title.”

With her medal gleaming and confidence shining just as bright, Bonolo expressed her gratitude to her coach and club.

“I’m really proud of my win,” she said. “I want to thank my coach and everyone at Freedom Boxing Club for believing in me and helping me on my boxing journey.”

Small in stature but mighty in spirit, Bonolo Obusitse is proving that true champions don’t need size, just heart, hard work, and a mean right hook.