Russian boxers exchange wedding vows, then punches

[Sarah_Jayne]

Russian boxers exchange wedding vows, then punches

Two Russian boxers have exchanged wedding vows in the ring before a few rounds of sparring to celebrate.

Nikolai Kibkalo, 40, and Natalya Karpovich, 31, wore traditional wedding outfits, but donned boxing gloves after the ceremony.

The wedding at a venue in St Petersburg was attended by fellow boxers, family and friends.

Nikolai said: "We decided to have our wedding party in a boxing ring because we first met in the ring and thought it would be very symbolic to have our wedding here."

The couple met five years ago, when Kibkalo began coaching Karpovich, who went on to become one of Russia's most successful female boxers.

Maxim Nesterenko, one of several boxers who attended the ceremony, called it "the most unique wedding I have ever seen." I'm sure they will be a very good family because they not only love each other, but also have common interests," he said.

Karpovich used to be a professional cross-country skier. She went into boxing after her first husband died, leaving her with two children.

She said: "I thought that maybe the physical pain from this sport would push out my spiritual pain."

She said that boxing, which has become increasingly popular among women in Russia, can help women "improve their achievements and settle their personal lives."

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_861706.html