Dedicating time to boxing and a full-time job at Google – that’s what Zinnat Ferdous has been doing in the last four years in pursuit of changing views on Bangladesh in the global boxing arena. In the sidelines of her first appearance in the National Women’s Boxing Championship in Dhaka, Zinnat gave an interview to Dhaka Tribune where she talked about her hectic journey thus far.
How has been the journey in boxing so far since your Bangladesh debut at the Asian Games in 2023?
Zinnat: It's only been upward, right? So I obviously didn't win medal or didn't do too well in the Asian Games. I had to do some self-reflection. I lost a big game. Do I want to continue? Is this really what I want to do? And honestly, after that self-reflection, I told myself, no, I want to do this. And so since then, I've fought in seven different international tournaments. Of the seven, I medaled in five. So it's been a really positive journey.
You are also doing a full-time job, at the same time training and playing tournaments. It must be hectic…
Zinnat: Very hectic and tight. I'm actually working now in Bangladesh. I'm competing and then at night I'm working US hours. So it's obviously very, very hard. It's hard to balance, but sometimes you need to do things like this.
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What kept you motivated to continue combating on the ring?
Zinnat: I know that hard work brings success and it's not different from this situation. If I continue to work hard and improve, I know I can do something really big for the sport, for the country.
Winning gold in South Africa, Dominican Republic, Poland, and Portugal were signs of your progress…
Zinnat: I think if anyone just looks at my performance at the Asian Games and just say, that's my performance, no. It's to see what my journey is like. I've only been getting better. I've seen myself getting better at the gym, mentally, physically. So yeah, I'm excited to see this growth.
How was it like winning gold in those tournaments representing Bangladesh?
Zinnat: I felt like I was always the underdog. I went there, people are like, "Bangladesh? She's not going to win." That's the feeling I got. Then I did well. I got to the quarter-finals. I passed the semi-finals. I got to the finals and people are like, “Oh, she's good”. It happens in every single tournament. And then they will come up to me like, “You're not from Bangladesh”. And I'm like, “No, I'm from Bangladesh.” They're like, “No, no, no, you're not.” So it gives me joy that I'm changing people's perception on our country. It makes me feel very good.
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Have you ever thought of quitting job and give more time to boxing?
Zinnat: I tell everyone, Google funds my very expensive hobby, which is boxing. At this point, everything in boxing has been self-funded. If Bangladesh can support me financially and fund my rent, my food and all, then I will put everything behind this, but until then I can't do that. But I don't complain.
Amid the tight schedule, what are your plans for the next Games?
Zinnat: We have to plan ahead because I'm so busy. So for the next games, the South Asian Games, my goal is to have a very strong training camp, whether it's in the UK, whatever it is, have a very good training camp and come prepared.
Do you think the decision to come to boxing paid off?
Zinnat: Sometimes, very naturally, you'll sometimes think I'm crazy, why am I doing this, what am I doing, why, what. But it makes me very happy. So I think it's a good decision that I made for myself. I’m making a difference.
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