BFK set to hold Africa Championships trials in Nairobi

Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) has selected 72 boxers for the Africa Championships trials from 25-27 August at Charter Hall, Nairobi.

The continental men and women's tournament is scheduled for Maputo, Mozambique between 9 and 18 September.

In a letter addressed to BFK affiliates, national secretary-general David Munuhe has released a list of 72 male boxers while clarifying that all female boxers who have passed the intermediate stage are eligible to participate.

Among the international boxers picked are defending Africa lightweight champion Nick Okoth, bantam Shaffi Bakari, flyweight David Karanja, feather Samuel Njau, Martin Oduor, light-welter Victor Odhiambo, light-middle Boniface Mogunde, middle Edwin Okongo and light-heavy George Cosby.

The trials are aimed at selecting a strong Kenya team for the Maputo show and giving the deserving boxers a chance to vie for a place in Kenya's national team, still smarting from their wild goose chase in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

A total of 12 boxers - the highest number in all categories - have been called for the trials at lightweight with minimumweight having seven, flyweight eight, bantam six, feather five, light-welter seven, welter eight, light-middle four, middle four, light-heavy three, cruiserweight two, heavyweight two and super-heavyweght four.

At the last Africa Championships in 2017 in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo, Kenya placed eighth with one gold from Okoth and four bronze medals by light-fly Bakari who made his international debut and middleweight John Kyalo.

Light-flyweight Christine Ongare and middle Elizabeth Akinyi both of whom made history as the first Kenyan female boxers to win medals in an international tournament also got bronze.

The boxers selected for the three-day trials are as follows:

Minimumweight 48kg: Abednego Kyalo, Cyrus Onyango, Abdala Juma, Abdala Athumani, Alex Ndungu, Joshua Maina, Anthony Mutua.

Flyweight 52kg: David Karanja, Kevin Maina, Mohammed Hussein, Raphael Shigali, Morris Irungu, Lawrence Owino, Abdiaziz Abdi, Abeid Hussein.

Bantamweight 54kg: Mwinyi Kombo (pictured), Shaffi Bakari, Dennis Muthama, Michael Donga, Cyrus Wandera, Paul Oduor.

Featherweight 57kg: Samue Njau, Isaac Meja, Martin Oduor, Robert Gachui, Joseph Karumba.

Lightweight 60kg: Nick Okoth, John Mwanzia, George Wainaina, David Mao, Washington Wandera, Francis Riziki, Daniel Omondi, Joshua Clive, Azaad Nazir, Abdullah Nyawa, Reagan Odindo, James Ng'ang'a.

Light-welterweight 63.5kg: Ethan Maina, Victor Odhiambo, Anthony Maina, Austin Anyalo, Hassan Wanande, Fredrick Onyango, Abednego Meshack.

Welterweight 67kg: Joseph Shigali, Chrispine Murimi, Musa Gitonga, Moses Biko, Steve Olang, John Juma, Lenox Kusimba, Mareba Mwita.

Light-middle 71kg: Boniface Mogunde, Lucky Nyiro, Eldrick Masila, Chris Orengo.

Middleweight 75kg: Sinzore Sande, Edwin Okongo, William Kiplagat, Nicodemus Okwaro,

Light-heavy 80kg: Francis Denga, George Cosby, Robert Okaka.

Cruiserweight 86kg: Hezron Maganga, Chris Ochanda.

Heavyweight 92kg: Peter Abuti, Joshua Wasike.

Super-heavyweight 92+kg: Elly Ajowi, Fred Ramogi, Felix Oyier and Brian Omondi.