Juniors boxing tournament enters knock out stage

A medical doctor examines boxers before the start of National Junior Championships at the Green Park, in Nairobi on Wednesday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Six boxers cruised into the quarterfinals of the National Boys and Girls Youth Junior Championships at Greenpark Hall in Nairobi on Thursday.

It was a day marked with surprises as ambitious youngsters began the long journey that could see them represent Kenya in the next international assignments in a few years to come.

"It's a long journey but we are determined to see ourselves becoming the next generation of international boxers to represent Kenya in international assignments soon," said Salim Hassan of Havana Boxing Club.

Hassan spoke after beating Christopher Musyoka of Nairobi in the bantamweight bout on points to cruise into the quarterfinals.

Other bantamweight matches saw Daniel Otieno of Police overcome Smith Muigai of Nyeri as Josephat Mbogo of Nyeri beat Ramsey William of Githurai 44, Emmanuel Mswahili of Police lost to Rolex Otieno of Meru with policeman Dennis Muia winning against Innocent Mwaluka of Nairobi.

A few international boxers who qualified as coaches paraded their boxers at the event.

National Team captain and Africa Zone Three heavyweight gold medallist Elizabeth Andiego was one of them who most of the time was seen issuing bench instructions to her boxers.

In the 51kg flyweight, Solom Maingi of Havana won against Joseph Wekesa of Kajiado with Abdirahman Bashir of Mombasa losing to Daniel Otieno of Meru.

In other matches, Francis Maina of G 44 lost to Stephen Mwangi of Nyeri as Diof Muimi of Nyandarua picked points over Erick Mwangi of Nairobi.

In the minimum weight, three boxers made it to the next round. They were Joseph Moses of Police, and Nairobi teammates of Kevin Munyambo and Micah Nderitu.

Moses outpointed KIbra's Benson Mutuku, Munyambo defeated John mnaina of Nyeri and Nderitu overcome Maxwell Muriithi of Nyeri.