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Rediff.com  » Getahead » The incredible boxing grannies!

The incredible boxing grannies!

By Siphiwe Sibeko
Last updated on: November 26, 2017 10:18 IST
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They have KOed old age.

Boxing grannies

KEEPING HER GUARD UP: Zodwa Thwala, 70, takes boxing lessons in Cosmo city outside Johannesburg, South Africa.
All photographs: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters.

 

Boxing grannies

PULLING PUNCHES? NOT THEM! She is part of a group of grannies who are learning to box in an attempt to battle old age with exercise.

 

Boxing grannies

HOOK-ED: They train twice a week as part of the 'Boxing Gogos Program' -- gogo means grandmother in South Africa.
The programme is the brainchild of a Claude Maphosa, a former body builder, who began training them four years ago.

 

Boxing grannies

BOUT TIME: The grannies have said they feel stronger than ever since they started boxing; some even claim that they no longer suffer from the ailments they had before.

 

Boxing grannies

TAPPING THEIR INNER BRAWLER: When not in the ring, the ladies focus on full body workouts or practice their form.

 

Boxing grannies

ON THE ROPES: Apart from increased fitness, the boxing lessons have increased confidence in grannies like 79-year-old Constance Ngubane.
The popularity of the boxing lessons has lead to coach Maphosa planning similar events in other areas.

 

Boxing grannies

#LIFEGOALS: Gladys Ngwenya (right, 77) and her friends are who we want to be when we grow up!
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Siphiwe Sibeko in Johannesburg