“I think I would have qualified. I have been working really hard."
US-based boxer Zinnat Ferdous, of Bangladeshi origin, was on a quest for glory at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, her dreams of participating and winning have been shattered.
Before 2019, Ferdous had never taken part in the sport.
But once she started, Ferdous did not look back and two years later, she became a talented boxer.
Ferdous hoped to represent Bangladesh in the 2024 Olympics.
She said: “I chose to represent Bangladesh because, as a first-generation American, it allowed me the opportunity to get closer to my heritage and help elevate sports and women athletes in Bangladesh.
“It’s about making history. I’d have been the first woman boxer to ever represent Bangladesh in the Olympics, and the first athlete from Bangladesh to potentially… win a medal.”
However, her dreams of being in the Olympics have been dashed through no fault of her own.
A report revealed that the athlete’s participation in Bangkok’s qualifying tournament was cancelled due to the Boxing Federation, which missed registrations for the competition.
The entire Bangladeshi boxing team’s participation in the Paris Olympics Qualifying Tournament was subsequently cancelled.
The federation had enlisted Ferdous, Salim Hossain, Abu Talha and Hossain Ali for the competition.
Zinnat Ferdous said: “I think I would have qualified. I have been working really hard.
“The last two tournaments were evidence I was getting better. I thought I was almost done (to go for Olympics).
“It was sad not to get it. I hope it would never happen to anybody ever again.”
Ferdous’ unprecedented international success in her short career has been inspiring for many.
Toslima, a British-Bangladeshi, told DESIblitz:
“My cousin from America told me about Zinnat. She has epic skills and will make us proud.”
“It would be cool to see some Bangladeshi boxers here in Britain. I hope Zinnat inspires women here.”
Zinnat Ferdous is a boxer with immense potential and a rising star in the sport. Her skill and dedication have seen her triumph in major tournaments, a clear indication of her bright future.
Ferdous has twice won New York City ring master’s tournaments.
Moreover, she is a two-time national Golden Gloves medallist and won the 2023 USA women’s boxing championships.
In 2024, she won the Dominican Republic Open, the Copa Independencia Tournament, and the inaugural Mandela South African Boxing Club.
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