Andiego eyeing Ksh3.2 million as Hit Squad take more hits in World Championships

And as if things looked grim on Wednesday, then they now look more miserable this Thursday, following yet another disappointing show from Kenya’s Hit Squad at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Nis, Serbia.

Having already witnessed five of their members sent packing at the first time of asking, there was hope that two of the remaining three Kenyan boxers would at least save face on Day Four.

Down to three: Sobbering outing for Hit Squad in Serbia

That, it seemed, was just a faint dream.

On another sobering night, Kenya’s Pauline Chege was the first to fall under the same chopping board that had taken a toll on her compatriots, this time even going a step lower.

Coming up against the fourth seeded Mijgona Samadova, Chege failed to make it past the second round, referee Calero Vazquez ending the contest with a minute and 52 seconds to spare.

Featherweight Chege was the second Kenyan boxer to be saved by the referee, following Cynthia Mwai’s submission a day earlier.

Things did not get better for Hit Squad’s other debutant - Lencer Akinyi - who lasted shorter on the ring - 42 seconds - in an annihilation by home girl Dragana Jovanovic, who was the fifth-seed in the flyweight category.

The two losses now mean that Kenya’s only shot of winning a bout lies on team skipper Elizabeth Andiego, who makes her fifth World Championships appearance with a light-heavyweight quarter finals bout against China’s Xiaomeng Wang.

Andiego, as it stands, is already guaranteed a prize purse worth Ksh1,295,000 (10,000 USD) for just reaching the quarterfinals.

Should the 38-year-old secure a win on Thursday, then she will be assured of taking home an improved cash reward worth Ksh3,236,250 (25,000 USD).

That, and maybe giving Kenyan boxing fans a reason to smile.