Moroccan female boxers celebrated for World Championship success in Serbia
The Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation (FRMB) held a ceremony on Tuesday in Salé to honor Moroccan female boxers who medaled at the Women's World Boxing Championships in Niš, Serbia, as well as Oumaima Semlali, who was named the best referee of the tournament.
The event was part of the FRMB's ongoing efforts to promote a culture of recognition and encouragement for high-level athletic performance, in line with the federation's strategic vision.
Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal was crowned world champion in the 52–54 kg category at the championships, held from March 8 to 16 in Niš, while her compatriot Hasna Larti claimed the bronze medal.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, Mohamed Saad Berrada, praised the athletes' performances, describing them as the result of the FRMB's serious and sustained efforts.
He noted that the success of the Moroccan boxers in Serbia reflects the intense work of the technical, medical, and administrative teams, and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting sports federations in their pursuit of excellence at both the continental and international levels.
The minister added that national sport in Morocco has recently experienced significant momentum through the organization of numerous continental and international events. He emphasized that sustaining this progress requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders in the sports and Olympic ecosystem.
For his part, FRMB President Jaouad Belhaj stated that the recent achievements of Moroccan boxers are the result of tireless dedication from the athletes, technical staff, and broader support teams. He stressed that investing in human capital is key to achieving success and excellence.
In a statement to the press, world champion Widad Bertal said that winning a medal at the World Championships is every athlete's dream. She expressed her ambition to shine in future competitions and earn more titles.
Bronze medalist Hasna Larti said that her goal was to win gold but added that securing bronze is a major accomplishment, especially considering she began her boxing career just two years ago.
International referee Oumaima Semlali said she was honored to receive the award for best referee, calling it a tribute not only to herself but to Moroccan women and the national boxing community as a whole.
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