Boxer vows to fight "age discrimination" rule

Monday 16 December 2019

A local boxer has launched a petition to convince the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to change the rules that prevent her from fighting after 31 December 2019, describing them as age discrimination.

Monika Markowska recently won the Southern Area title in amateur boxing – the first female amateur boxer to do so - but as she is now 40, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) prevents her from defending her title and competing for the National title.

The AIBA amended its rules in 2014 to change the maximum age for Elite Men and Women Boxers competing from 34 years old to 40 years old. 

Pictured: Monika won Bronze at the WAKO World Championships.

However, Monika believes it would be more appropriate to require a boxer of a certain age to have an extensive medical, including CT and heart scan, rather than simply eliminating them on the basis of their age. 

“Despite recently having my 40th birthday I am currently at my peak fitness and due to numerous years’ experience competing I am more successful now than I was in my twenties,” she said.

The fighter, who also been practising kickboxing for the past 15 years and recently took part in the WAKO World Championships, says the rule is “just simple age discrimination.”  

“What's going to change in me on 1 January 2020 compared to 31 December 2019? I am not going to lose the fitness and strength in the time of one day of this restriction age rule,” she said. 

Pictured: Monika says the rules are “just simple age discrimination.”  

The rules, Monika says, have a direct effect on boxers over the age of 40 as they make it “next to impossible” for any of them to get an amateur fight, preventing them from competing in championships, title fights, as well as the Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

“Why did they let me fight for the title if they then restrict me with this age rule so I can’t defend the title and progress to the national title fights,” she said.

“Especially now that boxing has been added to the Commonwealth Games, this rule is preventing me from reaching my true potential."

“In my opinion lots of talented boxers are axed from their boxing carrier on their peak years,” Monika added. 

“I am also aware of various other successful boxers who are affected by this rule. By removing boxers at a certain age, it is lowering the competition level by eliminating top and experienced athletes from competing. 

To convince the AIBA to change their rules, Monika has tried contacting them through the Jersey Leonis Club, but they have so far refused to budge. 

She therefore decided to launch a petition to see if her plea has any support. Once she gets a few hundred signatures, Monika will then get in touch with the AIBA again.   

“I feel the AIBA should remove the maximum age cap altogether or at least provide a medical exception or some other path forward,” Monika said.

“Not only for me, as I do have my kickboxing back up, but really for all of us at this point of age, other boxers are focusing on their own discipline and then when they reach the age of 40 they are axed from the competitive sport.”