I joined my first sports club when I was 12 years old. I played handball and did karate. I always thought that boxing was a very difficult and violent sport. Six years later, I got a taste and desire for boxing when I saw a fight between Junior Makabu, a Congolese boxer, and an American boxer.

After a year of training I participated in a national championship, came first and won the gold medal. Because of this I was selected for the African championship in Brazzaville two years later. Thank God I became African champion for the first time. After this victory I was convinced that boxing was my path. Since then I have become African champion seven more times.

I am very excited, happy and proud to participate in the Paris Games. Being among the best athletes in the world is always an honor. Participating in the Olympic Games remains the biggest dream of every athlete; it is the pinnacle of competition.

“My faith in Jesus Christ is first in my life.”

But whether I win or lose, thanksgiving is my prayer in all circumstances. For me, everything is grace: in all circumstances I am thankful. Driven by my Christian faith, I see my defeats as incentives to work harder. During my career, I have seen people get seriously injured in the ring, which ended their career. As for me, I have been able to continue and I thank God for that.

My faith in Jesus Christ is the first place in my life; prayer is my secret weapon. I recognize that my many victories are not just the fruits of hard work, but are primarily a grace of God. Despite my efforts, I am convinced that I would not be where I am today without God.

Mary, example of perseverance

My faith comes from my parents. I was born into a Catholic family and from my childhood I was part of Catholic spiritual movements in Kinshasa. Today I am a singer at the parish of Notre-Dame-de-la-Sagesse. Unfortunately, due to lack of time, I cannot participate regularly, but I am always in thought of my choir, the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I often pray with the Psalms of David. These Psalms, as well as passages from the Epistle to the Corinthians, always accompany me. My most cherished figure of holiness is the Virgin Mary: she is my example of faith, humility and above all courage. Although she did not understand the events, Mary remained steadfast in her faith: in my career I must keep my faith strong in the face of success.

“As soon as I arrive at the competition location, I look to see where the nearest parish or church is.”

Wherever I go for competitions, I find a way to pray with my fellow believers, especially a priest or pastor. Once I arrive at the competition venue, I find the nearest Christian parish or church to where I am staying. That way, I can attend morning masses before my training.

Marcelat Sakobi Matshu was born in 1996 in Kinshasa. She was a multiple African champion in her under 57 kg category and was the flag bearer of the Congolese delegation at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. She will compete on Tuesday, July 30.