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Image: Gladys Ngwenya, 77,prepares to box

World

Boxing Grannies Pull No Punches in Johannesburg Gym

The boxing grandmothers, many over 70, train twice a week in the South African city and claim to feel stronger than ever.

/ 10 PHOTOS
Image: Gladys Ngwenya, 77, center, and Constance Ngubane, 79, second right, pray with others ahead of taking part in a \"Boxing Gogos\" (Grannies) training session

"Boxing Gogos" pray before a training session hosted by the A Team Gym in the Cosmo City suburb of Johannesburg on Sept. 19, 2017.

The "Boxing Gogos," or "Boxing Grannies," are trained by Coach Claude Maphosa who is planning events in other areas for others who have been inspired to box.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Gladys Ngwenya gets ready for the Boxing Gogos training session

A trainee carries her boxing gloves as she prepares for a session.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: The \"Boxing Gogos\" (Grannies) stretch during a session hosted by the A Team Gym in Cosmo City

The "Boxing Gogos" do stretches.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Gladys Ngwenya, 77,prepares to box

Gladys Ngwenya, 77, gets ready to train.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Gladys Ngwenya, 77, right, and Constance Ngubane, 77, use a punch bag

Ngwenya, right, and Constance Ngubane, 79, use a punching bag.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Zodwa Thwala, 74, front, spars with trainer Nqobile Khumalo

Zodwa Thwala, 74, spars with trainer Nqobile Khumalo.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: The \"Boxing Gogos\" (Grannies) warm up

The "Boxing Gogos" warm up outside.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Gladys Ngwenya spars with a trainer

Ngwenya spars with a trainer.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: A \"Boxing Gogo\" throws a punch

A "Boxing Granny" throws a punch during a training session.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Gladys Ngwenya, 77, left, winces as she chews on a piece of ginger

Ngwenya winces as she chews on a piece of ginger before the start of training.

— Gulshan Khan / AFP - Getty Images
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