Captain Okoth rates Kenyan boxers highly as games begin
2015 Africa Boxing Championships lightweight gold medallist Nick Okoth is confident Kenyan boxers will do well despite getting tough draws at the Tokyo Olympics.
Okoth who will captain team Kenya at the Summer Games says the tough draws will make victory even sweeter for Kenyans.
Okoth aka Commander is set to kick start his campaign in the blue corner against Erdenebat Tsendbaatar of Mongolia on Saturday in the featherweight category. This will be a round of 32 bout.
“If you aspire to become the best, you have to take on the very best without fear. On behalf of my teammates, I can say we are ready to take on the world,” he said.
Elly Ajowi and Elizabeth Akinyi will punch off in rounds of 16.
Ajowi will step onto the canvas on Tuesday, starting off in the blue corner and will trade punches with Cruz Julio of Cuba in the heavyweight division.
At the same time, Akinyi will square herself in the Red Corner and will take on Panguana Alcinda Helena of Mozambique.
Meanwhile, flyweight pugilist Christine Ongare will start off in the round of 32 in the blue corner against Magno Irish of Philippines on Sunday.
Elly Ajowi said: “La Cruz might be a four-time world champion and an Olympic champion but that was in light heavyweight.
He is very beatable. During the 2019 world championship he lost, I have nothing to lose against him come Tuesday he will not have anywhere to run. He is going to meet his waterloo.”
Akinyi on her part said: “I have fought against Alcinda before during Zone 3 Championship in Kinshasa Congo and lost on points.
I have prepared better and I believe I will defeat her this time round when it matters the most.”
Ongare says she doesn’t know much about her opponent who is from Philippines.
“I am focusing on dealing with her in the ring whichever way she comes. I Am ready to make history by being the first Kenyan woman to win a boxing medal at the Olympics.
