Hit Squad's Tokyo Olympics campaign ends as Elizabeth Akinyi loses to Mozambique's Panguana

The olympic bound boxing team, From left-Hit Squad head coach Musa Benjamin, welter division pugilist Elizabeth Akinyi, Team captain featherweight Nick Okoth, flyweight Christine Ongare, Duncan Kuria Communications Director, David Munuhe deputy coach, Heavyweight division boxer Elly Ajowi, John Waweru Assistant Coach. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Hit Squad's Tokyo Olympics campaign this afternoon came to an end after Alcinda Hellena Panguana of Mozambique eliminated Kenya's Elizabeth Akinyi in the Round of 16 of the Women's Welterweight category via a technical knockout (TKO) in Round 2.

With one round and a half to spare, the referee stopped the match for Akinyi’s safety after Mozambique national released a barrage of blows on her.

Kenya's Elizabeth Akinyi (left) with Alcinda Panguana of Mozambique in their women's welterweight last 16 bout yesterday. [Reuters]

Akinyi's exit comes hours after four-time Cuban world light heavyweight champion Julio La Cruz defeated Kenya's Elly Ajowi on points in the Men’s Heavyweight category.

Welter division pugilist Elizabeth Akinyi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Only four Kenyan boxers managed to secure tickets to the Olympics with the others being- Nick Okoth who was eliminated on Saturday in the round of 32, and Christine Ongare who exited the games on Monday.

Earlier, Kenya's sole Taekwondo representative at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Faith Ogallo this morning suffered heartbreak after she lost 13-0 to Serbian Milica Mandic in the Women's +67kg Round-of-16 contest.

Ogallo’s loss comes hours after Kenya national rugby sevens team were knocked out of Tokyo Olympics after losing 12-5 to Ireland.