Fight like a girl

Boxing has become increasingly popular among women. Coaches and fighters in Kathmandu explain how this happened.

It’s 4 pm when around 15 people gather in the training room at Boxmandu. The gym, situated on the 7th floor, offers a panoramic view of the city bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun through its large windows. But there's little time for gazing; the session begins promptly. Following a brief warm-up and stretching, the two-hour boxing class kicks off with brisk cardio exercises, followed by more technical partner drills. Alongside the ten men, five women are also participating in today's session. It’s a scene of shared effort—some punch with more force and confidence, while others take a gentler approach, reflecting varying levels of experience. What might seem ordinary is, in fact, quite noteworthy.