Meet Danisha Mathialagan, a plucky and tenacious 25-year-old who has come a long way from competing furtively – without consent from her parents – in local competitions

The Straits Times features 12 athletes, each corresponding to one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac. In the second profile of the series, Kimberly Kwek interviews boxer Danisha Mathialagan.

The Straits Times continues the countdown to the 32nd SEA Games, held in Cambodia for the first time from May 5 to 17. Over five days, we profile Singapore athletes looking for their “firsts” in Phnom Penh. Today, we feature boxer and first-time dad Danish Husli.