In an unexpected turn of events at the Sugar Bert Boxing National Championships in Kissimmee, Florida, 16-year-old Layla Johnson found herself sidelined before her match could even begin. The reason? Layla, a devoted Muslim, was set to enter the ring wearing her hijab, alongside a long-sleeved shirt and leggings. Unfortunately, USA Boxing officials deemed her attire a violation of the sport’s dress code.
This left Layla’s opponent, Kira Thompson, with a win by default and a shiny new belt. But instead of simply accepting the trophy and walking away, Kira made a bold move that would have made anyone proud. She approached Layla, placed the belt in her lap, and proclaimed, “This is yours. They disqualified you, so you’re the real champion! This is so unfair.” The two embraced, and soon enough, event organizers made sure Layla received the recognition she deserved. Talk about a class act!
Layla’s love for boxing sparked when she was just 13. Despite her father’s initial push toward fencing, she was determined to step into the boxing ring, quickly earning her spot by sparring with the boys at her gym. However, finding opponents has been tough for her; she faces challenges not only as a girl but also due to her petite stature at 5’0″ and approximately 114 pounds, plus the added dress code restrictions.
The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has a strict rule against headgear, arm, or leg coverings below the knee. This puts athletes like Layla in a tough spot, forcing them to choose between their faith and their passion for boxing. In fact, AIBA has faced criticism before, like back in 2012 when they suggested female Olympic boxers wear skirts. Fortunately, they later amended that to allow shorts as an option.
USA Boxing’s executive director, Tom Richards, explained that the uniform guidelines are rooted in safety concerns, such as preventing boxers from hiding injuries. He expressed worry that allowing hijabs could open the door for various other uniform requests from different groups, stating, “With around 30,000 amateur boxers in the U.S., we have to draw the line somewhere.”
While we wait for the AIBA to catch up with modern times, it’s heartwarming to see athletes like Layla persevering and opponents like Kira stepping up to support them. Even Bert Evans, the CEO of the Sugar Bert Boxing Promotions, expressed his hope that Layla can return to fight in the future, emphasizing that boxing should be inclusive of athletes from all backgrounds.
Layla’s father beautifully summed up this situation, stating, “As a parent and a person of faith, I am incredibly proud of my daughter’s strength and determination. She embodies resilience and integrity in her pursuit of excellence, both in her sport and life. This is my daughter Layla Johnson, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
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In summary, the incident involving Layla and Kira highlights the ongoing struggle for inclusivity in sports, showcasing the power of solidarity among athletes. As the conversation continues, may we see more acceptance and understanding within competitive arenas.