Nairobi county boxers shine on final day of the National novice championship

Nairobi county teams delivered 10 wins out of the total 18 bouts that marked the end of the 2023 National Novices tournament held at Umoja 1 Boxing Hall, Nairobi on Saturday afternoon.

In the presence of a sizable crowd, national team coaches and top-end boxers including retired pugilist Nick Okoth, Africa Zone Three gold medalist Elly Ajowi and Olympian Elizabeth Akinyi, Nairobi county made a statement of intent early on, scooping all four of the opening bouts.

Emmanuel Mswahili (Nairobi B) opened proceedings with a points victory over Timothy Daniel (Nairobi A) as Peter Emmanuel of Nairobi A outpointed Sanchez Karani of Kenya Police in the second bout.

Emmanuel Mswahili (Nairobi B) opened proceedings with a points victory over Timothy Daniel (Nairobi A)

Mitchell Achieng and Elizabeth Maina were the first lady winners of the day, seeing out Faith Nafuna (Nairobi A) and Jennifer Wanjiru (Nairobi B), much to the excitement of Africa's finest Elizabeth Andiego who handed certificates to the winners.

Young talent Dennis Muiya, straight from a gold medal in the East African Youth tournament in Tanzania last month, eased past Homa Bay's Luca Masawe with 25 year old Benjamin Sata (Nairobi A) beating Fred Amollo of Kenya Police.

"That was a good fight. I feel challenged," Muiya commented after his fight. "Though it's my first time in the national novices, I have gathered alot of experience in the junior championships. I just knew what to work on."

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Jericho Boxing Club's Lee Njorohio made it three wins on the bounce since Thursday as he again reigned supreme - stopping Maurice Ochieng of Kenya Police in two rounds.

“Now this is a relief," a calm Njorohio said after his win. "I kept hoping for a win at this stage. I knew how pivotal it was for my career. I couldn't lose and I expect more wins from me in the national intermediates."

Trailblazing boxer from Nyandarua Cynthia Mwai on the other hand was all over her opponent Murugi Ndungu (Kajiado) forcing the referee to stop the fight in Round One.

"This is a big day for me and hugely thanks to God," Mwai said. "To get this chance after all the challenges I've had in this field feels relieving. I am the only lady from our club and I have proven today that we (girls) can do it!"

Talented Francis Lennox (Nairobi A) got a deserved points win over Justus Ndegwa of Nakuru before a series of stoppages from Elijah Odongo (Homa Bay) and John Oundo (Busia) over John Okwaro and Samuel Trevor respectively.

Fan favorites Elijah Kings of Nairobi A and Abdi Sebi of Homabay got the crowd going late on, with the latter securing a big third round stoppage over Sydey Wafula of Busia.

"Be ready for me," Sebi said following his win. "We are working very hard down there in HomaBay with my coach Jacob Obiero. The journey has just started. Soon enough I'll be in Kenyan colors."

Closing out the eventful day, Trans Nzoia's Jasper Sagala forced Kiambu's Eugene Kamande to take the knee twice in the ring as Boniface Michira of Kajiado saw off Kisumu county's Clinton Okoth on points.

The winners from the National Novices will be expected to take part in the National Intermediates slated for next month.