Kenya finishes third overall at Africa Boxing Championships

Kenya showcased impressive prowess in the ring at the Africa Boxing Championships, claiming a commendable third place overall in the competition that concluded on Saturday, October 26 in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

The Kenyan team’s stellar performance earned them a position just behind Morocco, the overall champions with 10 gold, eight silver, and three bronze medals, and the host nation DR Congo, which secured nine gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals.

Senegal celebrated a significant achievement by winning its first gold medal in 26 years, securing a fourth-place finish with a tally of one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. Cameroon followed closely in fifth with one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.

Within the East African region, Kenya led the pack, followed by Burundi, which placed 11th with one silver medal.

Ethiopia and Tanzania ranked 14th and 15th with three and one bronze medals, respectively.

Kenya’s golden moment came courtesy of Boniface Mogunde, who clinched the light-middleweight title, marking Kenya's first gold in seven years.

His hard-fought victory over Burundi’s Nestor Nduwarugira was a split points decision that underscored the East African rivalry at the championship.

Mogunde's win echoed Kenya's last gold success in boxing, when Nick Okoth claimed the lightweight title in 2017 in Congo Brazzaville.

Kenya’s captain, Elizabeth Andiego, put forth a valiant effort in the light-heavyweight final but suffered a controversial split-points loss to Morocco's Hasna Larti.

Despite dominating the first and third rounds, Andiego, a seasoned boxer who has represented Kenya since 2010, was unable to secure the gold and described the loss as one of her career's most painful setbacks.

Clinton Macharia earned a silver in the Super Heavyweight division after a fierce bout with Morocco’s Younes Bouhdid.

Adding to Kenya's medal haul were Amina Martha, Abednego Kyalo, Shaffi Bakari, Vincent Ochieng, and Robert Okaka, who each took bronze after reaching the semi-finals.

Kenya’s boxing team returns home with pride, having made a significant mark at the Africa Boxing Championships.