From a near fatal accident four years ago, Andiego is now eyeing medals for Kenya
Kenya will be among a number of countries hoping to win medals in boxing during the All Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco at the end of this month.
Among the Kenyan pugilists is deputy team captain Elizabeth Andiego. However, the 33-year-old Olympian might not have been here to be selected had the lucky stars not smiled her way.
Andiego was involved in a near-fatal road accident four years ago and according to her, it is only a miracle that she will be able to represent the country. The 2012 Olympian had to fight for her dear life after she was hit by a speeding taxi that left her with a fractured leg and a cracked skull along Nairobi’s Kangundo Road.
“The memories are still fresh. You don’t forget such occasions. I cheated death,” recalls Andiego, who was riding home on a motorcycle on that fateful night.
“God has been faithful to me. After the operation in 2015, I was happy to be alive, but quietly regretted that I was never going to be able to step into a boxing ring again,” added the boxer, who at the time of the accident, had been preparing to contest for a slot at the 2016 Rio Olympics that would also serve as a qualifier for the All Africa Games in Brazzaville and the Senior Africa Boxing Championship.
The boxer, who represented Kenya at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, now wants to make up for lost time by winning a medal in Morocco.
“I was bitter. Why was all this happening to me at such a crucial time? I considered 2015 the prime of my career, there were a lot of questions, but I have learnt to be thankful,” said Andiego, who believes Kenya has enough talent to go for top medals in Morocco to increase hopes of sending more boxers to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“I am among the senior boxers in the team, I have been to the Olympics and therefore I know that pleasant feeling. I know upcoming pugilist look up to us for inspiration,” she said.
