Niamh Mitchell, a 20-year-old boxer from Rosyth, Fife, is preparing to compete for a medal at the Commonwealth Games in the 60kg category. Mitchell, who won the European Junior Championship in 2022, aims to challenge perceptions about female athletes by embracing her identity as a "girly girl" while maintaining her prowess in the sport.
Mitchell has been involved in combat sports since she was five years old, taking up kickboxing after experiencing bullying. She acknowledges that her feminine presentation often leads to skepticism about her boxing abilities. "There was one time I was out with my friends and there was a guy saying that exact thing about me being a female boxer," she recounted. "He was like, ‘if you punch me in the stomach it won’t hurt.’ So I punched him in the stomach and he was floored. He was winded. People just don’t realise how annoying it is."
She emphasizes the importance of body image and individuality, stating that looking good is part of who she is. Mitchell aspires to be a role model for young girls, demonstrating that it is possible to be both feminine and a formidable athlete. "It’s nice to show young girls that you can have two sides to you," Mitchell said. "When I was younger, I looked at some women boxers and it felt like to me they would have massive muscles, have no make-up on, not have their hair down and that always put me off."
As the first Scotswoman to claim a major title, Mitchell trains twice daily at her local club in Rosyth. She is currently the only female at her gym and actively supports younger girls who join, aiming to make them feel comfortable. "At my home gym I’m the only female and there are little girls that come in and so I like to help them out," she said.
Michell believes that boxing has provided her with valuable life skills and opportunities. "It’s given me a sense of independence which I can use later on in life. I’ve seen places that I would never have been able to do without boxing," she stated.
Mitchell received a direct pass to the quarter-finals of the competition. Her next challenge will be facing India's Asian champion, Priya Ghanghas, in her pursuit of a medal.