Three Kenyan boxers have qualified for the finals of the
2026 African Boxing Championships in Nairobi, keeping the hosts’ hopes of
winning medals alive.
Grace Atieno, Elizabeth Akinyi and super heavyweight Clinton
Macharia led Kenya’s charge at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani
Indoor Arena, with convincing performances in their respective semifinal bouts.
Minimumweight Atieno advanced in the women’s 46-48kg
category after defeating Uganda’s Wakawoza Rasjida in a referee-stopped
contest. The 19-year-old applied relentless pressure from the opening bell,
forcing her opponent to abandon the fight.
Akinyi also booked her place in the final in the women’s
75-80kg division after overcoming Tanzania’s Hidaya Zahoro by referee-stopped
contest.
In the men’s competition, Macharia edged Uganda’s Tabule
Emmanuel 3-2 on split decision in a closely contested super heavyweight bout to
secure his place in the final.
However, it was a mixed day for the Kenyan team, with Amina
Martha losing to Nigeria’s Ajishola Khadijat in the women’s 51-54kg
bantamweight semifinals. Emmanuel Odhiambo also bowed out after losing to
Uganda’s Samuel Msubuga in the men’s 50-55kg category.
Seven more Kenyan boxers are scheduled to contest their
semifinals as the Hit Squad seeks to increase the country’s representation in
the finals.
In the women’s draw, Veronica Mbithe will face Uganda’s
Muuwa Brenda in the flyweight division, while Rosemarion Atieno takes on
Egypt’s Mohammed Rahma in the lightweight category.
In the men’s competition, Kelvin Maina will meet Equatorial
Guinea’s Israel Mbagga, while team captain Boniface Mugunde faces Algeria’s
Youchef Islam. Edwin Okongo is set to battle Egypt’s Alawady Omar, Steve
Onyango takes on Seychelles’ Jade Micock, and heavyweight Peter Abuti faces
Egypt’s Mohammed Hussein.
The Boxing Federation of Kenya has adjusted the competition
schedule due to venue-booking constraints, with the finals set for Thursday,
October 22, from 1:30pm.
Kenya will be hoping its growing contingent of finalists can
convert their progress into medals as the continental championships reach their
climax on home soil.