S. GitahiMunuhe laments delayed arrival as three Kenyan boxers feature in Day One of IBA World Championships
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 16.03.23. | 12:35
The overall prize fund for the championships is $2.4 million
Three Kenyan boxers will on Thursday March 16 begin their quest for an elusive medal as the IBA Women;s World Championships begin in New Delhi, India.
Among those on the call today include debutant Pauline Chege, Amina Martha and Ann Wanjiru - all taking part in the first two sessions of the day.
Pauline Chege will be in bout number 6 in Session 1A expected to start at 1600 EAT. The DEFABA featherweight boxer will take on Reyes Moreno of Guatemala in the three-rounds match up.
“All positive vibes,” Chege told Boxing Federation of Kenya in a video. “As I had already promised before I got here, just expect fire performances from me. Like youve never seen before.”
Elsewhere, flyweight Ann Wanjiru and bantam weight Amina Martha will be in the day’s afternoon sessions 2A beginning from 2000 EAT where they will face off Hellena Bagao (Mozambique) and Gomez Carolina Landaeta (Venezuela) respectively.
Gold medals are made out of sweat, blood and tears and effort in the gym every day. #boxing #Motivation #womeninboxing pic.twitter.com/8F3vouBaPw
— Amina Martha (@martha_amina) October 14, 2021
“I am in a good mood,” a seemingly confident Ann Wanjiru said on Thursday, “We all came prepared and we will do our utmost best- fight till the top.”
A prominent concern however among the boxers and Hit Squad assistant coach David Munuhe was the quick turn-around time that the boxers were forced to adapt to quickly even after their late arrival on Wednesday following the long trip from Nairobi to Mumbai.
"We literally had no time to rest after we got here,” Munuhe said on Thursday. “It was quite unfortunate for us and especially for our boxers fighting today because they are dealing with jet-lag and lack of sleep.
“We however hope that despite the hitch, we will give our best performances. We are ready to ramble.”
The Women's Championships opening ceremony was held on Wednesday evening where boxers, executives and spectators were welcomed for the show that will involve over 300 participants from 65 countries world-wide. Indian boxing icon Mary Kom - winner of six World Championships pronounced the athlete's oath at the 6000 seat K.D Jadhav Indoor Hall where the championships will be held till March 26.
The medalists from the 12 weight categories will take home a fancy grand prize of $100,000 (slightly over Ksh 13 Million) for gold medalists, $50,000 (Slightly over Ksh 6.5 Million) for silver medalists and $25,000 (slightly over Ksh 3.2 Million) for the bronze medalists.
