Mixed results for Kenya as Zone III boxing championships get underway

Kenya had a mixed start at the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Zone III Championships, with four boxers progressing and five others bowing out on the opening day at the Moi International Sports Centre Indoor Arena, Kasarani, on Monday.

Continental light flyweight bronze medallist Abednego Kyalo and rising star Situs Onyango booked their places in the quarter-finals after impressive wins over Abel Alemu of Ethiopia and Juma Athman of Tanzania, respectively.

Debutant Wiseman Livondo also announced his arrival in style, stunning Cameroon’s seasoned Oumarou Mouhamed to storm into the semi-finals of the welterweight division.

However, it wasn’t all smiles for Team Kenya. Former Africa Zone III flyweight champion Shaffi Bakari and compatriot Emmanuel “Manu” Chondo were both eliminated in the men’s bantamweight quarter-finals, leaving Kenya with plenty to ponder after winning just three of eight bouts in the opening session.

Kyalo, 28, a bronze medallist at the 2018 Africa Military Games, showcased superior skill and composure against Tanzania’s Juma Athumani Juma. He floored his opponent in the third round and sealed a dominant 4-1 victory to progress.

Kenya Police’s Onyango followed suit, outclassing Ethiopia’s Abel Abatiye Alemu with crisp combinations to win by the same 4-1 margin. Onyango, who made his continental debut at last year’s Africa Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, is now through to his first Zone III semi-final.

It was heartbreak for 2022 Zone III flyweight champion Shaffi Bakari, who saw his hopes of shining in the bantamweight category dashed after a 3-1 loss to Rwanda’s newcomer Iranezeza Aime.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Chondo was outclassed by Congo’s Kolongo Bakora, who dictated the tempo with sharp jabs and powerful hooks en route to a convincing 4-1 victory.

Kenya’s lightweight campaign also ended early after Ethan Maina and Washington Wandera both crashed out. Uganda’s Jimmy Adriko handed Maina a boxing masterclass, winning 5-0, while Wandera fell 4-1 to Tanzania’s Ezra Pablo.

Kenya’s welterweight bronze medallist Joseph Shigali couldn’t advance after losing to Uganda’s Edward Mukwaya, but debutant Wiseman Livondo stole the headlines with his spirited performance.

The newcomer overcame the experienced Cameroonian Oumarou Mouhamed to secure a spot in the semi-finals — a huge boost for Kenya’s medal hopes.

In the middleweight division, Edwin Okong’o was in fine form, outpointing his compatriot George Cosby in a commanding 5-0 victory.

The AFBC Zone III Championships, which run until Friday, have attracted more than 120 boxers from nine countries. Kenya is fielding 35 fighters in total.

The competition initially drew 12 nations, but Burundi, Somalia, and the Central African Republic withdrew before the event began.