By Carol Ruth Weber reprinted from Medium.com/@CarolRuthWeber
Christina Hammer is one woman who has proved to the world that, through hard work and determination, females hold the power to achieve anything. This undefeated, five-star rated, German boxer is the WBO and WBC middleweight world champion as well as an accomplished lingerie model.
Christina Hammer Grows to Own Lady Hammer Title
The raven-haired superwoman was born in 1990 in Kazakhstan before her family made a move to Germany in 1991. Hammer’s boxing journey began when she joined an amateur boxing club at age 14. By 16 years of age the teen became a junior champion and at 18 Hammer made her entry as the professional boxer.
Lady Hammer began her undefeated record in the 2009 fight that she won against Melisa Koktar. This powerhouse has proven herself worthy being named WBF Female Fighter of the Year for 2011 and 2013, along with WBO Female Fighter of the Year for 2013. Additional accolades include Dortmund’s Sportswoman of the Year in 2015 and Boxer of the Year GNP1 Awards for 2016.
Crashing the glass ceiling of boxing, Hammer became the only female boxer in Europe to be awarded a WBO Diamond Ring for exceptional performance. Fashion to this boxing powerhouse became more than a mere ring as she forayed from the boxing stage to the runway stage.
Lady Hammer Struts Her Female Power
As Hammer strives to continue to prove herself to be undefeated with her eyes set on boxing in the United States she is stepping up her game. In addition to her reigning status in the boxing arena, Hammer has taken on the world as a lingerie model.
Named the Global Brand Ambassador for Anita Active, the superwoman is now showcasing the Anita Active Sports Bras. In addition, Hammer is part of Movement130 commemorating the Anita company’s 130 years in business. Movement130 is a campaign to celebrate 130 unique women from around the world. It is about encouraging females of all shapes, sizes, and lifestyles to embrace their own distinctive beauty.
Hammer launched her FleBoXX DVD fitness program in 2016 to help encourage females to stay strong inside and out. The FleBoXX fitness program is about female empowerment with a regimen that includes strength, health, beauty, and respect. Hammer showcased the fitness program on Germany’s Next Top Model by Heidi Klum. She used her regimen to test the fitness prowess of the models for German Shape magazine.
Christina Hammer Talks Life
As Hammer plans her future to take on the boxing world in the United States she is becoming world recognized. Mixing it up at the 2016 WBC Convention in Hollywood, Florida Hammer shared the venue with two other female powerhouses, Laila Ali and Claressa Shields.
Christina answered questions about life inside and outside the ring.
Carol Ruth Weber: What drove you to the boxing ring at age 14?
Christina Hammer: My family are huge sport lovers, two of my uncles are actually boxing trainers. I love the one on one competition feeling I get when entering the ring, from the touching of gloves with my opponent standing center ring - to the sound I hear of the first-round bell ring. Ever since being able to experience this feeling I became obsessed with boxing. CRW: When did you realize that you wanted to be a professional boxer?
CH: After winning the German championship, at the age of 18 years old I started training with my coach in Dortmund. My coach believed not only in me, but that I could be a world champion. I trusted in him, and together we started my pro debut - which resulted in signing a contract from a big promoter SES in Germany.
CRW: What made you decide to add lingerie model to your resume?
CH: I’m a different type of athlete, I like to perform in front of a camera whether - its showcasing my boxing skills or modeling for Anita. I love boxing, fashion and photo shooting. Harald, my agent, had worked out all details to build up this contract with the lingerie brand Anita.
CRW: Who are your idols in and out of the boxing world?
CH: Genady Golovkin is my boxing idol. As for a person/personality idol, Wladimir Klitschko. Wladimir is both smart and intelligent. My idols outside of boxing are strong women who built their own empire like Heidi Klum and Jennifer Lopez.
CRW: What do you see as your greatest accomplishment?
CH: My greatest accomplishment is the fact at the age of 20 I became the youngest known WBO World Champion ever to win the WBO Champion belt, and till this day I remain an undefeated and, now 5-time, World Champion!!
CRW: Even with defeat not being a possibility for yourself we all have down moments in life. What do you do to pick yourself up when faced with a moment like this?
CH: I reflect on all of my successful days - I look at priceless/ timeless moments from pictures that ignites and connects me back to these great feelings. My 82-year-old coach Dimitri is a very important piece in my life, he always believes in me and gives me positive vibes.
CRW: As a boxing career is usually short lived - what do you see yourself doing after you retire from boxing?
CH: I’m focusing and starting to build my own brands during my active career as a boxer. For example, an upcoming project with my own Lady Hammer Sports Nutrition line. On Jan 1, 2018, I contracted with the same company who produced the first sports nutrition for Arnold Schwarzenegger and developed the first space food for NASA. Sports is my life and my passion.
CRW: What kind of legacy would you like to give the world?
CH: I want to be an example of female power in and outside of the sports sector that sends the message of the Christina “Lady” Hammer brand, “Women can be strong and Sexy.” I want people to remember me when they think of Women boxing…. Oh, yeah! its Christina Lady Hammer ;-)
This is one woman who wishes to not recognize the possibility of defeat. Hammer states:
“Defeat – I do not know this word, and I am not willing to. Winning is the only thing I consider and I do everything it takes to make it happen.”
As Hammer boxes to smash glass ceilings she is an excellent role model for all females to strive to be the best that they can be in taking on life in full force.
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