TOKYO 2020: Akinyi saved by the referee as Kenyan quartet bundled out of Olympics

Kenya’s welterweight boxer Elizabeth Akinyi has exited the Olympics after losing to Mozambican, Alcinda Helena Panguana in a round of 16 bout played on Tuesday afternoon.

The match had to be brought to a halt with a round-and-a-half to go for Akinyi’s safety was she looked overwhelmed and out of sorts after a number of punches from the fast-punching Mozambican landed on her face.

The first round was largely balanced with both boxers throwing some good punches. In the end however, the judges handed it to Panguana via a unanimous decision. The second one was however a different level altogether as the Mozambican upped her game to bring the bout to a premature end.

Panguana utilized well her height and reach pick apart the hapless Kenyan with destructive shots to the face and head. A combination of blows staggered Akinyi who had the ropes to thank for not going down.

Her reprieve was however, short lived as her opponent, sensing Akinyi's disorientation went for the kill. She combined punches on the Kenyan girlchild's face with Akinyi offering nothing in return. The referee had to intervene by ending the fight fight to save the Kenyan from injury. There was no contest of the referee's decision by either Akinyi or her corner.

Akinyi’s exit means all the four hit squad members have exited the Olympics with each featuring in just one match. Heavyweight representative Elly Ajowi lost to Cuban Julio César La Cruz 5-0 in the round of 16. Nick Okoth became the first boxer to be bundled out of the Olympics after he lost to Mongolian Tsendbaater Erdenebat in a featherweight round of 32 match.

 The Mongolian won by a split decision of 3-2 after winning two rounds against Okoth’s one. He was followed out by Christine Ongare who went down 5-0 to Irish Magno of Philippines in the flyweight category.