King Mohammed VI congratulated Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal for winning the world title at the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships in Serbia. Bertal, 25, triumphed over Turkey’s Hatice Akbas and expressed her gratitude to the King and supporters. This victory marks her as the second Moroccan woman to achieve gold at the championships, inspiring future ambitions, including participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her teammate Hasna Larti also earned a bronze medal, highlighting the progress of Moroccan boxing.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco recently congratulated Widad Bertal for winning the world title in the 52-54 kg category at the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships held in Nis, Serbia. In his message, the King acknowledged Bertal’s dedication and ambition, emphasizing how her victory elevates Morocco on the international stage. He expressed pride and joy in her accomplishment, wishing her success in future endeavors.
At 25 years of age, Bertal triumphed over Turkey’s Hatice Akbas, the 2022 world champion and 2024 Olympic silver medalist, winning the final match with a score of 5-2. She had previously secured her place in the championship by narrowly defeating Serbia’s Sara Cirkovic with a score of 4-3 in the semifinals.
Upon her victory, Bertal noted, “This gold medal is for the first sportsman, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan people, and everyone who supported me.” She emphasized, “This is just the beginning of my career and I will be realizing more dreams,” indicating her aspirations for the future.
In her arrival speech at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, Bertal conveyed that her recent success would motivate her to strive for excellence at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her path to victory encompasses significant achievements, as she secured three consecutive African Championships from 2022 to 2024 and earned a bronze medal at the 2022 African Amateur Boxing Championships in Maputo.
Bertal is now the second Moroccan woman to claim gold at the World Boxing Championships, following Khadija El Mardi’s victory in New Delhi in 2023. The achievements extended beyond Bertal, as her teammate Hasna Larti earned a bronze medal in the 75-81 kg category, despite facing strong competition in the semifinals.
Nabil Hilmi, the Vice President of the Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation, commended the athletes’ efforts and recognized the challenges endured during the competition. He remarked on the difficulty of achieving these medals but remained optimistic about the future of boxing in Morocco for both men and women.
In addition to the successful performances, Oumaima Smlali was honored as the Best Referee and Judge of the tournament. The championships, which took place from March 8 to March 16, showcased significant advancements for Moroccan women’s boxing, highlighting their growing prominence on the world stage.
The commendation of Widad Bertal by King Mohammed VI underscores the significance of her world championship victory, which is a testament to her dedication and the potential of Moroccan women in boxing. Bertal, alongside her teammate, represents a broader success in the nation’s athletic pursuits. As the Moroccan boxing community looks ahead, the recent achievements signal a hopeful and inspiring future in the sport. Eager to compete at the Olympics, Bertal’s ambition parallels the nation’s aspirations for continued excellence.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
