DUBAI – As the sun set, Umm Suqeim 3 in Dubai was bathed in a soft golden light. Between the tall modern buildings and the smaller, older homes, there was a distinct sound: the steady beat of boxing gloves hitting bags. This came from 9Round boxing gym, a place in the city where people came not just to exercise but to find strength and confidence.
Shaikha Alfalasi, a young university student, walks into the gym. As she enters, she shares a friendly smile with people she knows well from her previous visits. Surprisingly, she never planned on getting involved in boxing. It was her brother who nudged her towards it.
“He told me to try it out,” she recalls, her eyes shining with the memory.
Initially, she was both nervous and curious. After all, many think of boxing as a rough sport, primarily for men. However, she decided to give it a chance.
“I remember thinking, ‘I am a girl, why would I even start boxing? What am I doing here?’” Alfalasi recounts of her early days.
However, any hesitancy she felt was quickly dissolved. Boxing became more than punches and jabs; it became an emotional release.
“It changes my mood,” she says. “Boxing is my escape from negativity.”
Alfalasi’s bond with the sport deepened as the days turned into months. She questioned its benefits initially, but the positive transformation in her fitness and mental well-being was undeniable. Moreover, despite being a fast-paced and demanding sport, it perfectly fitted her university schedule. With just a 30-minute session, she could rejuvenate herself mentally and physically.
Nevertheless, this journey was not without its challenges. Like many new to the sport, Alfalasi needed help with technique.
“My footwork, my stance, the way I threw punches – it all needed refinement,” she says.
However, 9Round’s dedicated coaching staff kept her from faltering. They guided her, step by step, until she could confidently say she had conquered her early issues.
Though the boxing world might seem male-dominated, Alfalasi emphasizes that this should not deter women from entering the ring.
“Boxing might benefit women even more than men,” Alfalasi says. “The mental relaxation, the boost in physical fitness – do not let preconceived notions hold you back.
However, despite her passion, Alfalasi’s interactions at the gym remained cordial, limited to exchanging greetings and jokes. She believes it is the collective spirit of improving and pushing personal boundaries that unites them all, even without deep friendships.
When asked about her inspirations, she smiles and shakes her head.
“I do not have that depth when it comes to boxing,” she says.
For Alfalasi, the journey is personal. It is about self-improvement, mental resilience, and the joy of the sport.
If you have ever thought about giving boxing a go, Alfalasi has some advice.
“It might seem a bit challenging at the beginning, but with patience and persistence, you will find it becomes a part of who you are,” Alfalasi says. “Do not hesitate; just dive in!”
As the golden light of the setting sun casts a shadow over 9Round, Alfalasi prepares herself, putting on her gloves for yet another rewarding session in the boxing ring.
About the author
Alunood Hamdan studies Integrated Strategic Communication at Zayed University in Dubai. She is a recipient of the Dean’s List, an honor awarded to students with high GPA.
Yulia Medvedeva edited this story.
