Three South African boxers will represent the country in the international stage at the International Boxing Association IBA Elite Championship 2026. The tournament officially commenced today Monday, October 19 2026 in Stade Des Martyrs Gym in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
The championship is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The three South African boxers participating in the championship are Simamkele Damesi from Cape Town, Lara Netshindzamboni from Johannesburg and Masibuele Sigwela from KwaNojoli in Eastern Cape. During the championship the South Africa team is being led by coach, Miandeli Mngqibisa from KuGompo City.
According to reports the selection of the South Africa team was done by the South African National Boxing Organisation SANABO. The organization also wished best wishes to the South Africa team online on their official social Media handle. The SANABO said, “Let us wish our three boxers representing South Africa at the IBA Africa Elite Championships 2026 the very best of luck as they prepare to compete in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Cango”.
The SANABO also expressed to the IBA Africa for providing an opportunity to the South African Boxers. The SANABO stated, “Special thanks to IBA Africa for making this journey possible”.
This year’s championship marks a milestone as the first African Championships staged directly under the new International Boxing Association (IBA) structure. In the championship a total 33 nations across Africa are participating.
The names of the nations are Lesotho, Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Notably, the IBA also gives the cash prize to the winners according to the position they win. The gold medalist will get 20,000, silver medalist 10,000 and bronze medalist will get 5,000.