World Women Boxing Championships: Andiego through to quarterfinals without throwing a jab

Kenya's Women Middleweight champion Elizabeth Andiego training in Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] 

Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships light heavyweight gold medalist Elizabeth Andiego is through to the quarterfinals of the World Women Boxing Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Andiego cruised to the last eight without throwing a jab, thus enhancing her chances of reaching the lucrative medal bracket that for the first time comes with cash prizes in the tournament’s 20 years history.

Gold medalists will take home 100,000 dollars (Sh 10 million), silver medalists 50,000 dollars (Sh 5 million) and bronze medalists 25,000 dollars (Sh 2.5 million).

Being the most experienced boxer and the only one who has appeared in the global three times, Andiego is determined to reach the medal bracket if her sentiments before they jetted out to Turkey are anything to go by.

“We are determined to replicate our performance in the Africa Zone Three Championships in Kinshasa at the global championships, where we are out to win medals as well after rigorous training of twelve weeks,” she told Standard Sports last weekend.

Andiego is among three African boxers who cruised to the quarterfinals without throwing a jab. Others are Lisa Kanjinga of Democratic Republic of Congo and Morocco's Khadija Mardi. The latter two are in the heavyweight division.

Andiego will face the winner between Turkey's Elif Geenari and Mkatelo Sithole of South Africa on May 16.

As Andiego basks in that glory, Africa Zone Three light middleweight silver medalist Lorna Kusa was set to face Valentina Khalzova of Kazakhstan in Kenya’s first bout last night (May 9).

 

“As a first boxer in the ring, I’m determined to win the first bout after the rigorous training to open doors for more victories from my teammates,” Kusa told Standard Sports from Istanbul.

Head Coach Musa Benjamin was ecstatic after a safe landing in Istanbul and promised positive results from the first bout pitting Kusa.

“We know the tactics used by most of our opponents and the bout pitting Kusa against the Kazakhstani will not be an exception as we look forward for a positive performance this time round,” Benjanin told Standard Sports from Istanbul.

Commonwealth Games flyweight bronze medalist Christine Ongare will be in action tonight (May 10) and will be the second boxer to take the ring.

Ongare takes on Hannah Okhota of Ukraine in the minimumweight(45-48kg) in the first round as the global championships enters the second day this evening.

Tomorrow (May 11), Ann Wanjiru takes on Tetiana Kob of Ukraine in the flyweight (50kg) with Africa Zone Three light welterweight gold medalist Teresia Wanjiru having a date against Assunta Canfora of Italy.

Another match on the same day (Wednesday) will pit Africa Zone Three middleweight silver medalist Elizabeth ‘Jaber’ Akinyi who is poised to take on Karolina Makhno of Ukraine.

On Thursday (May 12), four Kenyan boxers will take the ring.

They include Africa Zone Three featherweight bronze medalist Amina Martha, national lightweight champion Stacy Ayoma, featherweight Beatrice Akoth and welterweight Everlyn Akinyi.

Martha will face Beata Wiktoria Rogalinska of Poland in the bantamweight, Ayoma takes on Joycelyne Tshamalla of DRC, Akoth meets Jucielen Romeu of Brazil and Akinyi.

Akinyi will know her opponent on Thursday (May 12).

May 10 MATCHES.

Minimumweight - Christine Ongare Vs Hannah Okhota of Ukraine.

 

May 11 MATCHES.

 

Flyweight - Ann Wanjiru (Ken)Vs Tetiana Kob (Ukraine).

 

Light welterweight – Teresia Wanjiru Vs Assunta Canfora (Italy).

 

Middleweight - Elizabeth Akinyi (Ken) vs Karolina Makhno of (Ukraine).