From growing up amidst the sugar fields to chasing the Olympic dream: The amazing journey of Eswatini's boxer Thabiso Dlamini
After getting his first taste of Olympic action in Tokyo 2020, Eswatini's top boxer is hellbent on earning a quota for his country at the Africa Qualifier for next year's showpiece.
Boxing
A chance introduction to boxing has led Thabiso Dlamini onto a path he could not have imagined growing up in the small landlocked country of Eswatini, amidst the sugar cane fields surrounding Simunye village.
Dlamini nurtured dreams of becoming a professional football player like so many of his peers who bided their time playing sports near one of Eswatini’s sugar mills. As fate would have it, Dlamini ended up in the ring, which paved the way for his Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 (in 2021).
Before he became one of Eswatini’s biggest boxing stars, Dlamini only had eyes for football and played other sports to pass the time. One day, he accompanied a friend to boxing practice, where the trainer coaxed the young Dlamini to join in, claiming that no spectators were allowed.
“When he (the trainer) saw me just watching everything he said: 'No, no, no, there is no watching in the gym. Everyone who is inside should train,” Dlamini recalled.
“Then, I found myself training with the guys, and it felt like he was angry at me for watching. And on the first day, he just got me to spar with the other guys.”
Like a fish out of water, Dlamini battled against the blows his friends were landing even though they were pulling their punches. But due to his competitive nature, Dlamini returned to the boxing gym the next day to prove a point.
“Because it was challenging, I felt like, 'No, no, no. These guys just gave me a beating’. I'm going back tomorrow I want to be better than these guys. I want to be better than them. I'm just someone who likes challenges.”
The trainer saw the potential in Dlamini and convinced his uncle that he should take up boxing. When Dlamini’s grandmother, could pay for his school fees, boxing provided the youngster an opportunity to further his education. The former Eswatini Boxing Association vice president took Dlamini under his wing.
Following in the footsteps of Eswatini greats
Dlamini has since developed into one of Eswatini’s most promising prospects, representing his country at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man. He also participated at the 2014 Glasgow, 2018 Melbourne and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Boxing is arguably Eswatini’s most successful sport, with two of its three medals at the Commonwealth Games courtesy of pugilists, including two-time medallist Leonard Makhanya.
Makhanya won Eswatini’s first-ever boxing medal at the 1982 Commonwealth Games with the bronze in the light-flyweight category. He followed that up with silver four years later at the 1986 edition as a flyweight.
More recently, Simanga Shiba won the country’s third boxing medal in Melbourne 2006 claiming bronze in the men's light flyweight competition.
“Boxers like Smanga Shiba are the guys that we would look up to when he's fighting. When I started boxing, I was still young, and when guys were fighting, I wouldn't pay much attention,” Dlamini said.
“But when it comes to Smanga getting into the ring, there was something special about that guy because he would move and make you do things his way. At some point, he came to me after my fight and said: 'You boy, you're going somewhere, there's something special about you. Just keep on working hard'. By that time, I was still young and getting such words from those guys would help me.”
Vulindlela: The one who opened the way
Dlamini, who has already made a name for himself hoped to follow in the footsteps of these Seswati boxing greats.
In 2018, Dlamini made his senior breakthrough, winning the welterweight silver medal at the Zone 4 African Boxing Championship in Maputo, Mozambique. The following year, he participated at the African Qualifiers in Senegal where he reached the quarterfinals, bowing the knee to Cameroon’s Albert Mengue, who was crowned the eventual champion.
Dlamini then became the first liSwati boxer since Sydney 2000 to go to the Olympic Games when he was selected for Tokyo 2020 (in 2021). There, he faced Mengue for a rematch of the African qualifiers in his opening bout of the Olympic Games, with the Camoorian ace finishing on top.
Reaching the Olympic Games had not only left a lasting mark on Dlamini but has served as an inspiration to other boxers from Eswatini.
“Man, being an Olympian, that is something else! Just being an Olympian is something huge. The last time our country attended the Olympics in boxing, I think it was around 2000,” Dlamini said.
“So that is why my coach said I am ‘vulindlela’. Vulindlela is the one who opens the way for other people. Everything starts with me.”
'Something big is coming my way'
Dlamini will be looking to make a second appearance at the Olympic Games when he gets into the ring at the Africa Qualifier for Paris 2024 held in the Dakar Arena from 9 to 15 September. Only one quota berth will be up for grabs in each of the seven classes.
Boxers who fail to earn quota spots in Dakar will have two remaining opportunities at the world qualification tournaments in Busto Arzizio, Italy from 29 February to 12 March and Bangkok, Thailand between 23 May to 3 June.
“Something big is coming my way. And I believe I am going to Paris, whether I'm going to qualify now or later, but I'm going to Paris,” a determined Dlamini said.
“Those are big Games, man! That is why people are always working and pushing themselves because they want to go to the Olympics. That is why I am pushing myself. I now know the end product, and being there is an achievement in itself.”
Dlamini said once he had hung up his gloves, he hoped to stay involved in the sport and keep inspiring aspiring young boxers in his home country.
How to watch the Paris 2024 Boxing Africa Qualifier in Dakar
All the action from the quarter-finals onwards - from Wednesday 13 September - will be streamed live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app for mobile devices.