North Korean Defector Becomes Star Boxer in South Korea 

2009-11-27 10:47

 

It's been a long journey for North Korean defector Choi Hyun-mi, who's fought her way to the top of South Korea's female boxing scene.

She looks like a typical 19-year-old Korean teen with a penchant for pink, but Choi has a special ability.

She packs a staggering right punch that can knock out most opponents.

Her Japanese challenger, Tsubasa Tenku, experienced that a week ago when Choi defended her WBA featherweight crown.

South Koreans call her the "Defector Boxer Girl" and see her as a new ray of hope in the country known a generation ago for producing scrappy and fearless fighters.

[Choi Hyun-mi, North Korean Defector Boxer]:
"I don't mind that nickname. It's true that I defected from North Korea, so it's okay. But I want to be known for my boxing more than the fact that I defected from North Korea."

Choi has been cultivating the image of a tough but feminine girl, which has helped her popularity grow in South Korea.

She grew up as a tough kid in what could be considered an affluent family in the impoverished North.

Her father, Choi Young-choon, bought her an accordion to keep her out of trouble, but she gave it up for boxing.

The young boxer remembers the feeling she had when she arrived in South Korea.

[Choi Hyun-mi, North Korean Defector Boxer]:
"I was like, 'wow… I finally got here.' It felt like I crossed the finish line of a long track."

Hyun-mi went to a high school for promising athletes, made it to a boxing gym and thrived in the ring, going 17-1 as an amateur.

Her father, who spent some time in the ring in North Korea, is now her manager and in her corner for fights.