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A woman watches boxing in Cuba
Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Boxing for women has been allowed in Cuba for the first time since the revolution more than 60 years ago.
Representatives of the Indian sports authority announced in Havana that female fighters would be allowed to participate in the sport in the future.
In men's boxing, the socialist Caribbean state is one of the most successful nations at the Olympic Games.
"Today we make public the recognition of women's boxing in our country," said Ariel Sainz, vice president of the Cuban Sports Institute.
This is an "important step" for the national development of sport.
80 world titles
Cuba had previously opened all sports to women, in 2006 weightlifting and wrestling were added - only boxing, which is widespread in the country, was missing.
Cubans have won a total of 80 world titles and 41 Olympic gold medals.
Only the USA was more successful at summer games.
Women's boxing was banned in Cuba after the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro on the grounds that the sport was too dangerous for women.
Vice President Sainz justified the reversal with the equality of men and women enshrined in the 2019 constitution, as reported by the Cuban state media.
It was initially unclear whether women in Cuba would also be allowed to box professionally.
For men, this option was only reintroduced last April for the first time since 1962.
Women's boxing has been an Olympic sport since 2012.
If possible, a women's team from Cuba should already compete at the 2023 Central American Games in San Salvador.
mas/sid/dpa
