As snow falls and temperatures drop in early November, Baraka Bouts captains juniors Rosie Binette and Kiska Porter stay active, leading young women and competing in the 23rd annual Baraka Bouts competition.
Binette, who studies neuroscience on a pre-med track with a minor in poverty studies, spoke to the mission of Baraka Bouts and what the club stands for.
“My specific role as captain is the mission’s captain,” Binette said. “In this position, I work on connecting Holy Cross Missions representatives to the club, lead weekly TED Talks about Holy Cross Missions and most importantly, make sure that our club and everyone connected to the club knows what it really means to box for Notre Dame and why we continue to support this larger purpose.”
But that is not all the club stands for. Baraka Bouts also focuses on both the intensity of boxing and the serenity the sport can bring. Porter, a Breen-Phillips resident from Columbus, Ohio, with a major in anthropology and a minor in international security studies, discussed her role as practice captain.
“As a junior captain, I am the practice captain, so I plan the day-to-day workouts for the team,” Porter said. “I incorporate lifting, yoga, some active stretching [and] hip workouts.”
The team also incorporates high-intensity workouts into their training. Beyond practice, the captains prepare for performance in the ring differently.
“Before entering the ring, I like to listen to music, spend some time alone and reflect on the season in order to prepare for the night ahead,” Binette said. “I’m a very outgoing and social person, so I’m usually always around people, but in the time before I compete, I like to center myself because I know that it is just going to be me alone in that ring.”
In contrast, Porter takes a more strategic and deeper thinking method.
“I always tell everybody in the club that boxing is like physical chess,” Porter said. “It’s more like chess than any other physical sport. You have to go into it thinking about your game plan and your strategy.”
Porter further discussed using visualization as preparation.
“It’s not about who’s the strongest, who punches the hardest,” Porter said. “When I go into a bout, I map that out in my head, what I’m good at and what I need to do to combat any obstacles in my face ... win or lose, I gave it my best.”
While the juniors personally prepare, they also help new boxers in the club, no matter their year. Both captains emphasized the pride they feel for these new boxers.
“I’d just say how proud I am of them,” Binette said. “It takes so much courage to step into the ring in front of so many people you know and don’t know and compete individually. It sounds cliche, but regardless of the outcome, I’d say that they proved so much more than any determination of a winner in the ring could ever prove. By stepping into the ring, not only are they supporting children’s education abroad, but they’re also inspiring everyone watching, from little girls to their roommate, to step out of their comfort zone and try something they might love.”
Porter added on to Binette’s sentiment.
“I would tell any other class to really appreciate that experience, it’s unlike any other,” Porter said. “And again, win or lose, you tried your best, and you grew so much throughout this season. You came to practice. You were so dedicated to practice every day, you really did take the time to gain a lot of encouragement and wisdom, and you met a bunch of girls, and looked at all the friends that you made along the way.”
The Baraka Bouts finals will take place in Dahnke Ballroom on Nov. 18 starting at 7 p.m.
