Sports

Kenyan boxing trio bag silver medals in Africa championship

Monday, September 19th, 2022 02:17 | By
Kenya’s pugilist Nicholas Okoth (left) in action in a past boxing championship. pD/FILE
Kenya’s pugilist Nicholas Okoth (left) in action in a past boxing championship. pD/FILE

Kenya boxing trio of Elizabeth Andiego, Nicholas Okoth and Samuel Njau came close but short in the just concluded Africa Boxing Championships with all three clinching silver medals at the Maputo Event.

It meant no Kenyan came home with a gold medal in the week-long tourney which saw hosts Mozambique emerge top with a total of seven medals including five gold medals.

Kenya took home four medals and were 12th overall with two silvers for men’s and one for the ladies category.

All three Kenyans took home Sh602,000 after Africa Boxing Championship for the first time introduced cash prizes in the competition courtesy of the International Boxing Association (IBA).

Andiego, 35, who also doubles up as the Hit Squad Vice-Captain was stopped by Moroccan Mardi Khadija in the Heavyweight Division. This is Andiego’s second medal coming hot on the heels of the gold she bagged at the Africa Zone III Championship in Kinshasa, Congo in March.

As for Njau, his gallant effort in the 12-round featherweight bout against home favourite Rugoberto Sigauque came to nought with the points going to the opponent.

 Njau was making his debut in the competition and stood tall for the previous three bouts in the lead-up to the finale but was content with his silver medal.

Veteran Nick “Commander” Okoth,38, who was making a third appearance at the continental event was also stopped by Andrew Chilata of Zambia in the Lightweight finale.

Fall back on points

Okoth who was the defending champion before stepping into the ring used his experience and reach well but ultimately had to fall back on points against his challenger of the day in a unanimous decision.

Kenya who was represented by eight boxers in the competition had Boniface Mogunde fall out in the light middleweight category on Thursday but picked a bronze medal for his troubles.

The pair of Bantamweight pugilist Shaffi Bakari and minimum-weight Christine Ongare were eliminated in the quarter-finals with Amina Martha (Bantamweight) and David Karanja (Flyweight) got booted in the opening round of the tournament that was making a return after a five-year hiatus.

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