British Pakistani schoolgirl Eliza Malik secured victory in the National Semi-Finals in Newcastle Central, winning the second round.
Despite narrowly losing the final by a split decision and missing out on the national championship, Eliza’s impressive performance earned her a spot in the prestigious three-nations tournament in Nottingham, scheduled for June 2024.
Eliza’s weight category will see two representatives from England, one from Scotland, and one from Wales competing for the title. Although, the British Pakistani athlete faced a tough opponent in the final, a two-time national champion, she remains proud of her accomplishments, attributing them to her unwavering dedication and hard work.
Expressing her passion and love for boxing, Eliza believed sport has become a way of life for her, energising her and positively impacting daily life. She aims to serve as a role model for young people and aspires to promote women’s boxing globally once she achieves her personal goals.
Proud of her Pakistani heritage, Eliza aims to showcase the positive aspects of Pakistani culture. Eliza comes from a family with notable members, including her cousin Zayn Malik, a former member of the band One Direction, and her uncle, writer/actor Ayub Khan-Din, known for the classic British comedy film “East is East.” Additionally, her cousin Jawad Sohrab Malik serves as the Minister for Overseas Pakistanis.
Eliza, along with her brothers Romeo and Tiger, is on a trajectory to become a sporting star in boxing, aspiring to elevate Pakistan’s reputation on the global stage.