BFK bullish of Kenya's LA2028 prospects

“The competition was very tight and highly competitive, particularly between Kenya, Algeria, Egypt, and Uganda. It was particularly unpredictable between Kenya and Algeria because we both had eight boxers in the finals.

"Algeria lost most bouts in the female category but Kenya did so well in women by winning four gold medals. We had only two boxers in the finals from the men’s side and Algeria had five,” said Kuria.

Kenya and Algeria each finished the championship with five gold medals and three silver medals. However, Kenya secured the overall title after collecting six bronze medals, compared to Algeria’s three.

Kuria said the contest remained tense throughout the finals, with the two countries repeatedly trading blows in the medal standings before the bronze-medal count settled the outcome.

“It was very tense during the finals especially when Algeria kept on winning and cutting our lead but eventually it ended on a tie of five gold medals each, three silver medals each but the bronze medals determined the winner with Kenya having six and three.

"That’s how Kenya emerged winners of the Africa Boxing Championship, the inaugural one by World Boxing and we are so happy with the results,” added Kuria.

Despite the team’s overall success, BFK recognises the need to improve the performance of the men’s squad. Kenya had only two male boxers reach the finals, while several leading athletes had been eliminated in earlier rounds.

The federation’s next priority will be to rebuild the team and strengthen preparations for qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Kenya missed out on representation at the most recent Olympics in Paris, making the road to Los Angeles an important target for the country’s boxing programme.