(JAN 2) The retirement of an 18 year old female amateur boxer is hardly a news story that would attract much attention under normal circumstances. But in the case of Dina Burger it is a different story.

Despite her young age she is recognised as the best ever female amateur boxer in Switzerland, and has plenty of trophies to prove her prowess in the boxing ring. Her best result came in 2005 when she brought back the silver medal at the World Championship in Podolsk, Russia.

She won the prestigious Witch Cup Tournament and the EABA Torneo Italia in the same year. 2006 she repeated her triumph at the Witch Cup Tournament, won Gold at the EU Championship in Italy and a silver medal at the European Championships in Poland.

A hand injury prevented her to take part in the 2006 World Championships in India. Back in November, she wrote on her website http://www.dinaburger.ch/frames/f_dinaburger.htm , that she had decided to take a break and have her hands operated. She admitted to being fatigued by the hard training and the many tournaments, and saw a two month lay off as a good opportunity to tank up new energy. She also stressed that her good health had first priority.

She announced her retirement on New Years Eve, which will be a big loss to Swiss boxing. Dina Burger plans to finish her school education, and dedicate her time to her future career and her family.

WBAN wishes her all the best in the future, and congratulates her on the many impressive achievements in her relative short career in amateur boxing.