Nazym Kyzaybay is making a comeback in her hometown and could potentially become an Olympic champion.

Kazakh athlete Nazym Kyzaibay, a bronze medalist in women's boxing at the 2024 Olympics, shared her future career plans in sports, as reported by Caravan.kz.

The athlete informed "Karavan" that in the new Olympic cycle, she has decided to compete in her native weight class of up to 48 kg, where she is a two-time world champion (2014 and 2016). She has already completed her rest after the Paris Olympics and aims to step into the ring in December this year at the Kazakhstan Championship.

“After the Olympics, we planned to take a break from competitions, but since there will be a national championship at the end of the year, I want to participate. I want to drop down to my old weight of 48 kg, and to avoid any unnecessary discussions, I plan to compete at the Kazakhstan Championship. I hope to win and then prepare calmly,” said Nazym Kyzaibay.

Throughout Olympic history, the weight category up to 48 kg in women's boxing has never been included as an Olympic event. Therefore, in pursuit of her Olympic dream, Nazym had to move up to the 50 kg weight class.

“On one hand, there isn’t much difference between competing at 48 kg or 50 kg, but weight does play a certain role. When you are always in your natural weight, it’s great; you don’t have to jump around. But for the 50 kg weight, I had to constantly gain weight and eat a lot. I believe returning to my weight will be for the better, and naturally, it increases my chances for gold,” explained Nazym Kyzaibay.

The athlete added that upon returning to a non-Olympic weight class, she does not intend to give up on her Olympic dream and aims to win a gold medal at Los Angeles 2028.

“There are still 4 years until the Olympics, but there’s a possibility—at least that’s the rumor—that 48 kg might also become an Olympic weight class, as we’ve heard that the number of Olympic weight categories in boxing is planned to be increased. We hope that’s the case. But in any case, I want to establish myself again at 48 kg and box here, as I am a two-time world champion in this weight class; it’s my natural weight,” explained Nazym Kyzaibay.

It should be noted that amateur boxing is currently undergoing significant changes. More and more national federations, including Kazakhstan, are transitioning to the new international federation World Boxing to maintain boxing's status as an Olympic sport.

Previously, the athlete mentioned that she does not plan to get married yet and is focused on achieving her goals in sports.