World Boxing Council (WBC) Super bantamweight women champion Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika is the StarTimes/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) sports personality of the month for December 2017.
34-year-old Zarika was named the best at a ceremony in Nairobi on Thursday, after she beat chess ace Joyce Nyaruai and four-time Safari rally champion Carl ‘flash’ Tundo.
Zarika is the sixth recipient of the coveted award, after official launch in mid last year.
“I am very thankful to God for this award because it is something I didn’t expect. I thank SJAK and StarTimes for recognizing my efforts and awarding me. It is a motivation to keep on working hard especially ahead of my title defense,” Zarika was quoted by Capital Sports.
The mother of two was unanimously voted by a panel of journalists following her successful WBC Super bantamweight title defense against Zambian Catherine Phiri, in a boxing but staged at the Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi on December 2, 2017.
“It is something great to award her because most of the time, athletes and footballers have been the ones being awarded,” Zarika’s coach Omar Kassongo said.
Zarika won the bout on points after she scored 97-92, 98-91 and 99-92 from the three international judges who presided over the fight.That victory extended her win record to 30, of which 17 have been via knock-outs.