JINHA

NEWS CENTER - Cuban boxer Namibia Flores has one year left to realize the dream of becoming the first woman to represent her country in boxing in the Olympics.

According to AFP, Cuban boxer Namibia Flores is fighting to convince the country's national boxing federation to recognize women's boxing, in spite of sexist opposition. Since a 2009 statement by Cuban boxing technical director Pedro Roque stating that boxing was harmful to "feminine beauty," the national sports body has refused to allow women to compete in the Olympics.

Namibia, 39, is fighting for her dream of representing Cuba before she turns 40--the upper age limit for Olympic women's boxing, a sport that was only opened to women in 2012. Although Namibia has received invitations to compete for the U.S., she hopes to represent Cuba. "Why fight for the United States... if where I learned boxing is here," said Namibia.

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