Anyango bags first win for Kenya in Italy

Kenya's Elizabeth Andiego (left) fights Molka Mabrouk of Tunisia last year. [Courtesy]

At last there was hope in the Kenyan continent after welterweight sensation Frazier Anyango became the first boxer to win a match at the World Olympic Qualifiers in Italy on Friday night.

Of all the six boxers who are in Italy for the two weeklong event, five of them bowed out in their first bouts in the Round of 64 save for Anyango who was in a class of her own against her opponent.

After having a bye in the first match, Anyango defeated Maria Chiroy of Guatemala 4-1 in a victory that impressed head coach Musa Benjamin and his deputy David Munuhe.

In a match officiated by Dunar Cem Taylan of Netherlands, Anyango impressed four judges save for one to score 29-28, 30-27, 28-29, 30-27 and 30-27.

Anyango, who plays for the former league champions Kenya Defence Forces, was set to face Girainne Walsh of Ireland in the pre-quarterfinals last evening.

Earlier, featherweight Shaffi Bakari fell in the hands of Rustamov Nawwaf of United Arab Emirates 5-0.

In the first matches, Ongare was beaten by Guo Yi Xuan of Taipei in the flyweight (50kg) division on unanimous points’ decision as deputy captain Boniface Mugunde was knocked out in Round Two by the 2023 European Boxing Championships (EUBC) Under 22 Championships quarter-finalist Knezevic Peter Kresimir of Croatia.

Flyweight David Karanja was beaten by Kanneth Bibossinoy Saken of Kazakhstan on unanimous points’ decision.

Lastly, team captain Elizabeth Andiego also lost her match against Stonkute Gabriele of Lithuania in the middleweight, also on unanimous points decision.