Finland’s iconic boxer Mira Potkonen: My goal is to win the gold medal in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships

Finland’s sport icon Mira Potkonen is the defending EUBC European Women’s Champion at the lightweight (60kg) and she lost only two contests in the recent two years therefore she is aiming for a title in the upcoming AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.

The lightweight (60kg) star is Finland’s best hope in New Delhi and after more than 30 international contests in 2018 she knows her opponents well before the start of the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.

“My preparation for the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships is going as planned. I have probably one of the best coaches in the world and she has planned the preparations which suit me as an athlete. My coach, 3-star AIBA coach Maarit Teuronen has boxed herself in the World level and she knows both the sport and me inside out. She knows how to bring out the best of me at the right time.

Actually my first visit in India was already in January as we participated in the Indian Open Tournament in New Delhi. I won gold there and it was a great opportunity to get to know to the atmosphere and conditions in the upcoming championship of the host city. Our last key moment will be on our home gym in Tampere just few days before travelling to India. That will be the end of the last training session and the moment when I know I am fast and ready.

After the European Championships in June I had a few weeks holiday and after that we started to train again. Our scheduled preparation towards India started in August.

Our preparation includes two international training camps. First we went to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for two weeks to train with the US National team as well as some other international level boxers and right now I am in a training camp in France for one week.

I have had a wonderful year of 2018 so far. I won the European title in June as a first Finnish woman boxer ever to become a European champion in AIBA boxing. Also I boxed 50 bouts unbeaten. I haven’t kept the record myself but media has been very interested in that. My last competition before India was Tammer Tournament in Finland and my final bout felt very good.  

Obviously my only goal is to become a World Champion. I won bronze medal in the previous edition as well as Olympic bronze and now after becoming European champion this year, gold in India is what I am boxing for. I am a humble person and my coach keeps my feet on the ground steadily but I don’t see point of aiming for anything less. I train to become Olympic champion in Tokyo and India is a big step for me on the way to 2020.

I have boxed this year with many of the potential medallists in New Delhi and the level seems strong. A lot of new boxers have entered the world scene as well and I look forward to box with all my rivals.

As I am one of the top athletes of the Finnish Olympic Committee, we have got new resources this year and our coaching team has become stronger with specialists in physics training, nutrition, body maintenance etc. I suffered a severe injury in 2015 and that thought me a lot. I take very good care of my body and minimize any risks of injuries.

My daily rhythm is similar as in the whole year. I wake up around eight o’clock and have breakfast. After that is time for my first training session. After lunch I rest and get my energy balanced for the second training session. Before going to the gym again, I always have few cups of coffee. I love coffee! When I come home from the gym in the evening, I have dinner, watch some TV and go to sleep. When at home, few times a week I go to sauna and swim after my second training session. Between all this, I spend time with my family and help my children with their school work,”replied Mira Potkonen to our questions about her preparations to the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.