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L. MathekaOkoth through to semis in Russian tourney
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 13.05.21. | 14:29
In their previous outing at the Africa Zone Three championship in Congo, Okoth won silver.
“Hit squad” captain Nick Okoth is through to the semifinals of the Konstantin Korotkov Memorial International Boxing Championships ongoing at the Lenina Regional Sports Complex Khabarovsk, Russia after beating Ukrainian Kishko Sergey.
The bout, played early Thursday, 13 May, morning saw Okoth lead in all five rounds of the encounter, playing for a close 29:28 win in the first round and a dominant identical 30:27 win in the subsequent rounds.
A Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) boxer, Okoth, popularly known as ‘commander’ is set to face home player Ovik Oganisyan on Friday in the semi. This is the first win for the Kenyan team in Russia where they are using the event to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics.
KONSTANTIN KOTOTKOV MEMORIAL 2021
— Boxing Federation of Kenya (@KenyaBoxing) May 13, 2021
Nick "Commander" Okoth defeats Ukrainian Kishko Sergei on points in their 51kgs Quarterfinals Contest to proceed to Semi Finals tomorrow.#HitSquadInRussia pic.twitter.com/tmZnl4fJEu
Okoth will be making a return to the Olympics after a 12-year hiatus. His other achievements include winning a bantamweight bronze medal at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and a lightweight bronze medal at the 2015 Brazzaville All Africa Games. He clinched gold at the 2015 African Boxing Championship, also in Congo Brazzaville. In 2005, he clinched the African Zone 5 title at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
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He also won gold at the African Olympics qualifiers in Namibia in 2008, which qualified him for Beijing Summer Games where, in his debut, he lost to Mexican Arturo Santos Reyes in the preliminary rounds.
Christine Ongare and Elizabeth Akinyi were, yesterday eliminated in the first round of their respective categories. Ongare who was up against Estonian Diana Gorishnaya, lost on a unanimous points’ decision in the opening match while Akinyi was beaten by Maria Moronto of the Dominican Republic.
Though our girls' run ended at the pleriminaries,they got a feel of the level of Boxing internationally.
— Boxing Federation of Kenya (@KenyaBoxing) May 13, 2021
With that, they drop out without Medals but without serious injury and with key learning experience that will guide their Olympic preparation.
Best wishes Queens,Heads Up! pic.twitter.com/xR4UkSGwDm
Meanwhile, Africa Zone Three Super Heavyweight gold medalist Elly Ajowi will be in action on Friday, in what will be his first bout of the Russian tournament, as he takes on Mamadiyar Saydrahimov of Uzbekistan.
