Commonwealth Games: Disappointment as Ongare bows out

Christine Ongare (red) of Team Kenya competes against Priyanka Dhillon (blue) of Team Canada during the Women's Boxing Over 45kg-48kg Minimum-weight Quarter-Final on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at NEC Arena on August 03, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

It was a sad day for the Kenyan boxing fraternity when their most favourite boxer at the ongoing Commonwealth Games Christine Ongare's hopes of getting to the medal bracket were dashed in Birmingham yesterday.

Ongare lost the bout on a split points' decision against Prianka Dhillon of Canada at NEC Hall.

The former flyweight bronze medallist who started the match well pushing her opponent to win the first round later lost focus in the second and third rounds in favour of the Canadian.

Ongare who was the only boxer to have won a medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Games in Australia in the Kenyan camp couldn't match the speed of her opponent in the minimumweight (48kg) match.

So far, three boxers have dropped out of the two-week tournament. Others who have exited the competition are former African lightweight champion Nick Okoth and Africa Zone Three bantamweight gold medallist Shaffi Bakari.

Bakari was beaten by Rukmal Prasanna of Sri Lanka on a split points' decision on Wednesday.

Africa Zone Three light heavyweight gold medallist Elizabeth Andiego, the only Kenyan left in the tournament, was due to take on Ann Parker of Australia last night. [Ben Ahenda]