A mother and daughter with a penchant for punching are preparing to put their best jabs and hooks to the test against boxers from far and wide.

The West Coast Wonder Women+, one of five international amateur boxing cards in the world, is returning to Sooke.

Sooke resident Kris Snelling and her daughter look forward to the opportunity to compete in the event again.

B次元官网网址淚 definitely have a better idea of what to expect this year,B次元官网网址� Snelling said. B次元官网网址淚 was pretty sick last year but got into the ring anyway, so I hope to do much better this year.B次元官网网址�

Snelling, who earned her first win in Mexico last year, will join her 13-year-old daughter, Lake, on this yearB次元官网网址檚 card, marking the second WCWW+ for both fighters.

When Kris joined the Sooke Boxing Club in 2008, it was strictly for fitness training, with no plans to enter the ring as a competitor. That changed due to a friendly family wager after Lake joined Sooke Boxing Club.

B次元官网网址淚 bet Lake that I would compete in WCWW if she got a knockout in her second fight, which was in Saskatchewan in 2019,B次元官网网址� Kris explained. B次元官网网址淜nockouts are rare in her age category, but Lake won by scoring a TKO after just three months of training.B次元官网网址�

Lake said she hadnB次元官网网址檛 given any thought to boxing until she saw her mom working on her skills at Sooke Boxing Club when she was nine. SheB次元官网网址檚 been in six fights so far, the majority of those exhibition matches.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to WCWW,B次元官网网址� said the 14-year-old, a Grade 8 student at Journey Middle School. B次元官网网址淚 know what to expect this time.B次元官网网址�

Kris was eager to share fond memories of Fernando Rivas, a former trainer from Mexico who worked with the Sooke Boxing Club members, for his help with her development.

B次元官网网址淗e had a great passion for boxing and was a phenomenal help,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e were all devastated when he died in 2021. WeB次元官网网址檙e fortunate head trainer Jonn Netzlaw has carried on the tradition and passion Fernando brought to the club.B次元官网网址�

Kris also had high praise for the efforts of Sooke Boxing Club head coach Ellen Connor.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 amazed at how hard she works setting up this tournament and with club members,B次元官网网址� she added.

Elsie Mushata, Lilly Deroches, Ava Jeppesen, Tammy Johnson, and Tia Nunn comprise the remaining Sooke-based boxers participating in the tournament.

West Coast Wonder Women+B次元官网网址檚 mission is to redefine the historical and social perceptions of boxing and create a pathway for women to succeed in a male-dominated sport.

This will mark the fourth edition of the WCWW+, which provides an opportunity and platform for empowerment for women and athletes. More than 100 competitors from Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Finland in this yearB次元官网网址檚 event range in age from seven to 54. The boxing card promotes diversity, inclusion, and resilience by bringing together athletes of all ages, nationalities and weight classes, including female+ and non-binary fighters.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e extremely proud about this yearB次元官网网址檚 boxing card, and the fact we can continue to grow participation year after year is very pleasing,B次元官网网址� said Connor, who founded the event in 2018.

B次元官网网址淎fter three years of being impacted by the pandemic, weB次元官网网址檙e again able to provide a platform for amateur female+athletes from around the globe to compete and pursue their passion. With over 100 athletes and their families attending WCWW+ in 2023, weB次元官网网址檙e excited to partner with local businesses and the broader community to make their time in Sooke a fulfilling experience.B次元官网网址�

Organizers look forward to a future where they can host CanadaB次元官网网址檚 first competitive transgender bout. Connor expressed her gratitude to the District of Sooke, the tourism board and the community for their support in increasing the eventB次元官网网址檚 popularity and number of competitors.

RELATED: 12 Sooke women to compete as part of all-female boxing card

Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, chief executive officer for Canadian Women & Sports, said the WCWW+ is part of a dynamic group of organizations and leaders who are transforming the sport experience for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals across Canada.

B次元官网网址淲e are honoured to support initiatives like the WCWW+ and thank Ellen and the teamB次元官网网址檚 dedication and commitment to equity,B次元官网网址� Sandmeyer-Graves said.

Sara Haghihat-Joo, a professional boxer and former WCWW + competitor, said what stands out about the event is that the boxing card allows fighters of all levels of experience to compete.

B次元官网网址淓llen does a great job of matching everyone up regardless of a win or a loss and guaranteeing a certain amount of bouts for each competitor,B次元官网网址� said Coquitlam resident Haghihat-Joo, who is looking forward to mentoring competitors. B次元官网网址淲hen I first started boxing, I would have to go abroad to find opportunities. Now, WCWW + is providing bouts to female + fighters right here in Canada.B次元官网网址�

West Coast Wonder Women+ takes place May 19, 20, and 21 at the Sooke Community Hall at 2037 Shields Rd. The event includes food and beverage vendor options and talks by past competitors and inspirational female athletes. Single-day tickets and weekend passes for adults and children are available at the door and online at westcoastwonderwomen.net/event-info/.