Boxing champion from North Korea fighting hard to adapt in South

Choi Hyun Mi recently defended her World Boxing Association (WBA for short) featherweight title. The 19 year old's powerful right hook landed her opponent on the mat two times and Choi won by decision.

Back in her hometown, Pyongyang, North Korea, Choi began training when she was just 13. A government scout picked her out because of her height. She now stands at 170 centimeters, much taller than most North Korean girls.

In 2004, Choi's family defected to South Korea.

And she has since become known here as the Defector Boxing Girl. But Choi says she prefers other nicknames.

"I've been called the 'Korean million-dollar baby' by the media here", Choi says. "And some call me the 'Technique Boxer.' But it bothers me just to be thought of as the North Korean boxer. I am not ashamed to be from there, but too many people focus on just that."

Boxing is much more popular in the North

While Choi says the transition from training in the North to the South was easy, she says boxers back home were more skilled.

Her father, Choi Cheol-su, who serves as her manager also feels let down. He says boxing is a much bigger deal back in North Korea.

"Boxing is really popular there", he says. "Boxers get sponsorship and support from the government too. It's like soccer. People get very excited and when there is a match on TV, the streets are empty because everyone is home watching it."

The Chois were fairly well off in Pyongyang. Mr. Choi ran an exporting business. Unlike most other North Koreans he was allowed to travel outside the country. That helped in arranging his family's defection. Mr. Choi thought they'd lead better lives in South Korea, but like many other refugees, he has found it hard to adjust and to find work.

So now he relies on his daughter to help support the family.

Planning her future

WBA champion Choi Hyun Mi says she may have given up fame and support in North Korea, but she thinks she is better off here in the long run. She says she can develop more as an athlete and have more opportunities down the line, when she is no longer fighting.

Choi says even though she's a champion now, she's thinking about the future. That's why she decided to start university this year.

For now, Choi says she wants to continue boxing and hopes to defend her championship later this spring.

Author: Jason Strother (Seoul)
Editor: Disha Uppal