ALI Ramla Said Ahmed

Olympic qualifying results
She secured a spot for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo through an invitation from the Tripartite Commission. (qualifyingtothegames.totallympics.com, 29 Jun 2021)

General
GETTING HER MOTHER ON BOARD
She began boxing in secret, and used to hide the cuts and bruises she sustained in training from her mother. Her mother eventually found out she was involved in the sport through Ramla's siblings, who had seen a video of her boxing online. "The reason why my mum would ask me to stop for so long was just because of community backlash, but now that she has found that the community is actually OK with it, she has become OK with it. Which is great. Since that day, I kid you not, she is now my biggest fan." (Sky Sports Boxing YouTube channel, 07 Aug 2019; BBC One Facebook page, 12 Oct 2018)

REPRESENTING SOMALIA
In 2017 she decided to represent Somalia at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She will be the first boxer to represent Somalia at a Games. "I think that I would make my mum more proud if I competed for Somalia. If she saw me representing her country I think she would be a lot more proud, I think my dad would be a lot more proud as well. That's ultimately what you want really, to make your parents proud." (matchroomboxing.com, 01 Jan 2021; Said Eadhave YouTube channel, 05 Mar 2020)

TURNING PROFESSIONAL
She turned professional in September 2020 after fears that the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo would not go ahead. She signed with Matchroom Boxing and is part of British boxer Anthony Joshua's '258 Management' label. "I just want to get in the ring and I feel like I can do that sooner being a pro rather than waiting around for an Olympic Games that might not come. The Olympic dream is still there but I'm excited to begin my journey in the professional ranks." (Talkin' Fight YouTube channel, 11 Jun 2021; matchroomboxing.com, 01 Jan 2021; matchroomboxing.com, 22 Sep 2020)

JOURNEY AS A REFUGEE
She came to the United Kingdom via Kenya after fleeing Somalia as a refugee. (standard.co.uk, 31 Mar 2021; Talkin' Fight YouTube channel, 11 Jun 2021)

At the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo she will become the first boxer to represent Somalia at an Olympic Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 21 Jul 2021; horndiplomat.com, 17 Jul 2021)