Sneha Waykar Makes History: First Female Chessboxing Champion at IFC 6!

First Female Fighters in Chessboxing – Sneha and Kenza

• Sneha Waykar from India and Kenza Megzari from France were the first female fighters to step into the ring at Intellectual Fight Club (IFC) 6.

• Intellectual Fight Club is a remarkable event in the world of chessboxing, organized by Guillaume Salançon, the president of Chessboxing France. IFC features high-level professional matches, attracts eager audiences, and elevates the sport to new heights. This tournament has played a crucial role in putting chessboxing in the global spotlight.

• The tournament alternates between rounds of chess and boxing. The match can end either with a checkmate in the chess round or a knockout in the boxing round. If neither situation occurs, the players continue alternating between chess and boxing rounds until a decisive result is achieved – either by checkmate, time limit, three illegal moves, or knockout.

• After an exciting and intense seven rounds, Sneha emerged victorious, becoming the first female champion of this prestigious tournament.

A Historic Victory and a New Beginning

• This historic victory is sure to inspire many others, especially young girls and women, to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles in their path.

• What made this event even more extraordinary was the timing and venue. The match took place as part of the cultural Olympiad at the Paris Olympic Games, at the Cultural Olympic Centre, drawing a live audience of around 3,000 spectators. The event also attracted significant media attention, with over 200 international journalists in attendance.

Guillaume Salançon, president of Chessboxing France and organizer of the tournament, said:

"The experience was fantastic. The venue was amazing, and we were lucky to work with this team. The world of sport was also here: Paris 2024, the French government, the IOC. What a beautiful night to showcase our sport! Plus, the event was free, and 3,000 people attended. Great promotion for our sport!"

Kenza Megzari shared her impressions:

"I was very happy when Guillaume invited me to this fight. I gave it my all and fully committed to the preparation. On the day of the match, the pressure was immense – being in front of 3,000 people in such a legendary theater was both impressive and unsettling, which cost me the first round of chess. Despite the pressure and stress, I enjoyed the match, and it is always an honor to face Sneha."

• Their journey has undoubtedly inspired many, especially girls and women, to chase their dreams. When asked what it was like to be the first female fighter in IFC, Sneha said:

"This particular IFC was especially meaningful to me because Kenza and I were the first female fighters to compete, and winning this match made it even more memorable. It is amazing to be a role model for girls who want to excel in chessboxing. Our president, Lara Armas, is doing an excellent job and is the perfect leader for this sport."

Seven Rounds Full of Adrenaline

• The match consisted of seven rounds, which were far from easy – switching between chess strategy and the physical intensity of boxing is a demanding task. Sneha took the lead and secured victory by time limit in the third round of chess, while Kenza was counted twice during the boxing round. Despite these setbacks, Kenza remained determined and gave her best effort throughout the match.

Sneha said after her victory:

"This match was particularly special for me because it provided a unique platform to gain greater exposure for both the sport and myself. With around 3,000 people watching live at the Cultural Olympic Centre and over 200 international journalists, it was a monumental moment. It was an honor to represent both chessboxing and India on such a grand stage."

Guillaume Salançon emphasized how Sneha and Kenza are iconic role models for the sport:

"I hope that many girls will see this fight and become more interested in our sport. Sneha and Kenza are iconic role models for our sport, and we need more female chessboxers and more female fights. This sport is suitable for women, and we want to show that. Many thanks to Sneha and Kenza for that!"

A Look into the History of Chessboxing

• Chessboxing is a relatively young sport that combines the mental challenge of chess with the physical intensity of boxing. The idea of combining these two disciplines first appeared in the 1990s in a comic book by Enki Bilal and became a reality thanks to Iepe Rubingh, who organized the first official chessboxing match in 2003 in Berlin.

• Since then, chessboxing has gained popularity worldwide and has its international competitions. Its appeal lies in the combination of physical strength and mental endurance, making it unique among other sports.

Sneha Waykar's victory has written a new chapter in the history of chessboxing, bringing fresh inspiration and hope to the sport. This event opens doors for more women to step into the ring and pursue their dreams.

What do you think? Would this unusual sport, combining strategy and strength, appeal to you?

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