Boxing: Okoth hopes to punch his way to elusive medal

Captain Kenya Boxing team Nick Okoth training at AVfitness centre in Nairobi, ready to leave to DRC for Africa Zone Three Championships. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

After winning different medals in a number of international championships, Nick Okoth is hoping that he will finally land an Olympic medal in Tokyo.

The 2015 Africa Boxing Championships lightweight gold medalist says his long-cherished desire is to win an Olympic gold medal before he hangs up his gloves.

Okoth, who has won many medals in Africa Boxing Championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games, Africa Military Games, World Military Games and an array of invitational international competitions around the globe hopes to accomplish his long cherished ambition at Tokyo Olympics.

“An Olympic medal is what has eluded me for many years. I believe I can make a difference at the big games,” Okoth told Standard Sports.

And as he gets ready for Tokyo, he says nothing will stop him from repeating the feat that saw him beat experienced boxers in the Konstantin Korotkov Memorial International Boxing Championships in Khabarovsk, Russia last month.

In his first match, Okoth defeated Ukraine’s Sergei Kishko on unanimous points decision to romp into the semi-finals where he also lost to Russian Ovik Oganisyan to win bronze.

Prior to that, Okoth had won silver at the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

As the clock ticks towards the games, Okoth who is training under the tutelage of five coaches led by national head coach Musa Benjamin said the skills picked in Russia is enough for him to win a medal in Japan.

“We have learnt a wide range of skills and when effectively applied in Japan, nothing will stop us from reaching the medal bracket and possibly win the top medal,” said Okoth who is a professional soldier with Kenya Defence Forces.

“Positive results come with enough exposure in a wide range of international tournaments and therefore I hope to end my career on a high,” he said.

After the Olympics, Okoth looks forward to feature in two international championships before he hangs his gloves.

They are World Military Games and the Commonwealth Games.