Woman soldier restricts her fighting to the ring

Italian boxer Romina Marenda attends a training session at the Military Olympic Center in Rome, Oct 6, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Tough task

Marenda, in particular, will have to work hard, and as she says herself, have a good bit of luck to do well in London.

She was runner-up in the Italian championships to Marzia Davide, a highly-regarded fighter. But sporting authorities controversially chose Marenda as their candidate in the lightweight category because Davide refused to join their Olympic training camp last year.

Marenda says there is no bad blood. "But you cannot train for the Olympics at home...You have to give something up. I would like to be at home too. Everybody makes their choices. Nobody gives you something for nothing."

She won a bronze medal at an Olympic test event in London last November but was eliminated in the first round in an important warmup tournament in Bulgaria last month.

Calabrese looks to have a better chance of a medal in London, having lost in the 51kg final in Bulgaria to England's Nicola Adams, who she says must be the favorite on home turf.

Marenda also says the lightweight division will be the most competitive at the Olympics because only three classes will be allowed in a short boxing program - flyweight, lightweight and middleweight with bunching of fighters in the middle category as fighters bulk up or move down to qualify.

"You need a good bit of luck. You need to get a good draw, Marenda said, adding that multiple World and European champion Katie Taylor of Ireland is the standout favorite in London.

But she is certainly ready to go for it. "My parents always taught me since I was little that you have to earn what you get. If you don't suffer a little bit, then maybe you won't have the pleasure of having something.

Italian boxer Romina Marenda (C) rests during a training session at the Military Olympic Center in Rome, Oct 6, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]