President Uhuru Kenyatta admires Fatuma Zarika's super bantamweight title during the Jamhuri Day celebrations last Tuesday. Zarika expressed her elation after being awarded the Head of State Commendation (Photo/PSCU)

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World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight titleholder, Fatuma Zarika, has hailed the recent Head of State Commendation (HSC) she received on Tuesday, terming it a huge boost for women athletes in the country.

Zarika was among the many Kenyans who were acknowledged by President Uhuru Kenyatta for their selfless service to the nation during the Tuesday Jamhuri Day celebrations.

Speaking on Wednesday to SportPesa news, the pugilist expressed her elation over the rare feat saying it should serve to inspire other women in the sporting arena to work harder.

"Many women who are eager to join sports especially boxing should feel encouraged after seeing me get bestowed this honour, which I'm eager to embrace as a guide to them to embrace all sports disciplines they are interested in joining," she said.

Zarika rallied from a first-round upset to floor Zambian Catherin Phiri to retain the coveted title on December 2 in Nairobi.