Kickboxer eyes international duties

By YVONNE HAIP
TEAM Western Highlands’ lone female kick-boxer, Jenny Memti, is eyeing representative duties after returning from the recent PNG Games in Kokopo, East New Britain.
She accompanied the all-male kick-boxing team to take part in the games and won bronze, which she said was less than what she had expected.
Memti fought her way to the finals but lost to Chimbu and New Ireland kick boxers who won silver and gold.
She told The National in Mt Hagen yesterday that her dream was to represent PNG at the international level.
Since taking up the sport in 2005, Memti has won gold at the kick-boxing championships at Mendi in Southern Highlands, Kundiawa in Chimbu and Lae, Morobe.
She has also won prizes for being the best female fighter in the Pacific and in the national championships.
Memti also won silver during the 2010 PNG Games in Port Moresby.
“This is not all. I want to be the best female fighter in PNG and represent my country,” she said.
While balancing work, sports and family can be difficult, the 30-year-old mother of two daughters hopes to achieve her dream and continues to train in her free time.
“Kick-boxing is my passion and I know that my dreams will be a realised,” she said.

Wth the support I get from my trainers and other kick boxers,” she said.
Memti, from Kurkur in Anglimp, Jiwaka, said she owes her success to her husband and family, adding that her future in the code depends on their understanding.