Hit Squad place 17th overall in concluded Africa Boxing Championships

Kenya’s national boxing team Hit Squad could have wished to have clinched multiple gold medals in the recently concluded Africa Boxing Championships in Yaounde, Cameroon, but as far as comparisons go, the team outdid itself as they walked home with a total seven bronze medals.

The performance was a jump in totality to their 2022 haul in Maputo, when Kenya returned three silvers and one bronze.

The silvers were won by; Samuel Njau, Elizabeth Andiego and retired Nick Okoth, with team skipper Boniface Mugunde claiming the solitary bronze medal.

As of Sunday however, a larger group was in the medal bracket, but ranked 17th overall on the final rankings, with East African rivals Uganda (9) and Tanzania (13) occupying places above them.

Perhaps the biggest winner in the group was bantam weight boxer Shaffi Bakari, who took a big leap in his performances - winning his first elimination bout on the opening day against Frontin Kewel of Mauritius - before outscoring Congo’s Nambi Koyanzili in the quarter finals matchup.

Ultimately, an injury was what stopped him from going a level higher, as he was deemed unfit to take part in his semifinals clash against Azoui Imad of Morocco.

Another big winner for Kenya was Amina Martha, also a bantamweight boxer, as she emerged in the semifinals round courtesy of a big win over South Africa’s Sibisi Lethokuhle, preceding the semis close loss to Algeria’s Abdelkader.

“Its definitely a step up from my last year’s performances,” Martha, who also took part in the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi said. “My game seems to be elevating and I am so excited with the progress. Hopefully my time to win it all will come.”

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Experienced boxers - Elizabeth Andiego and Christine Ongare - were also in the mix, after losing in their semis bouts having earned slots past the elimination matches.

Ongare however did get a win, as she defeated Cameroonian Christine Akoa on points, before falling to Yasmine Mouttaki of Morocco to take bronze.

Andiego’s only match was against Mardi Khadija in the semis, which she lost on points (5-0).

Rounding off the other medalists for Kenya were: David Karanja who after nicking a win over Moussa Sahabi of Nigeria was knocked out of contention by South Africa’s Mtintelwa Sinovuyo, and the pair of Peter Abuti and light heavyweight boxer Robert Okaka.

Leading the way at the continent’s summit was Morocco with 13 medals - 8 golds, 2 silvers and 3 bronze, with DR Congo and Algeria closing out the top three with 15 and 7 medals respectively.

For their efforts, the seven bronze medalists will walk away with a decent lump sum of Ksh. 710,750, which according to a latest report from IBA, will be subject to respective national federations’ tax.

Elsewhere, Thailand Boxing Club took the overall victory in last weekend’s Nairobi County Boxing League at Githurai Club, with Mukuru Fight 4 Life emerging second.

Kibra were third in the league currently topped by the aforementioned Mukuru Fight 4 Life.