Nairobi County reigns supreme in National Boxing Intermediates finals

The National Intermediates Finals were held in Kajiado County but visiting Nairobi County had a huge say in who was going to carry the day.

Nine boxers from the Nairobi team; drawn up from Ruaraka, Mukuru Fight 4 Life and Ruaraka Boxing clubs won their respective bouts, with most of the premier young pugilists booking a place into April National Opens.

17-year old Emmanuel Mswahili was the first man to open the account for Nairobi, successfully dispatching Hillary Allan of Trans Nzoia before his teammate Emmanuel Peter saw off Allan Muri (Trans Nzoia) in the second fight.

"I feel so happy, " an excited Mswahili said after his bout. "I came here with a plan to sail through in the finals and am happy to do just that. Much credit to my coach - Benson Gicharu for grooming me to where I am."

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Benson Gicharu was among the Nairobi County coaches on Saturday alongside John Omondi of Githurai Thailand Boxing Club, both of them very happy with how the event had turned out for them.

"This is how we do things as Nairobi," Omondi said shortly after the event. "We are happy that we are still pushing the tradition of us being the best county in terms of boxing."

Fight favorites Francis Lennox and Elijah Odongo were not left behind as they secured wins in their welterweight and light middleweight bouts respectively, overcoming Justus Ndegwa (Nakuru) and Derrick Onyancha (Homa Bay).

East African champion Denis Muiya, as we have now been accustomed with, breezed past David Katana of Kajiado in three rounds, booking a place into the national opens.

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Mitchell Achieng' of Nairobi was among the few ladies that made their presence felt, and she went on to beat her county-mate Jennifer Wanjiku in the third bout of the day.

Other winners from the ladies' category were Rachel Agata (Nairobi) and Agnes Wambua of Kenya Prisons.

As promised, HomaBay's Kassim Abdi was on the attack from the opening bell in the men's cruiser weight- trouncing home boy Bruce Odhiambo to spark off huge celebrations from the fans gathered around.

"As usual," Kassim said, referring to his win. "I am still looking at the top. I want to represent my county in boxing. This is just another step made on the ladder. Just a matter of time."

Among the officials present at the event were Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa and Technical Director Albert Matito, who all recognised the effort made by Kajiado Boxing Club in growing the sport in the region.

Dignitaries present including Kajiado North MP Mr. Ngogoyo promised to support the county club in all areas- including making sure that their welfare was well looked at.

To cap off the eventful day, Boniface Michira of Kajiado gave the fans a perfect farewell, forcing the referee to stop his fight against Clinton Okoth of Kisumu.