Kenyans look up to dominate Africa Olympic qualifiers

Kraish Hudhaifa (red) from Kilifi and Syras Wandera from Busia take on each other on the first day of National Boxing competition at Ofafa Hall in Kisumu on November 21,2019.(Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

The Kenyan boxing team “Hit Squad” hopes to have better prospects at the African Olympics qualifiers set for Dakar, Senegal from February 20-29.

The team of 14 men boxers and five women, which has moved its training camp to Nanyuki, is making its final preparations before heading to Dakar where over 40 countries are expected to parade their best talent. BFK president Anthony Ombok believes Kenya has good talent to improve on its three boxers in the Rio Games where nobody went past the quarterfinal stage. Ombok said it was attainable for Kenya to enter over 10 boxers in the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“It is our mandate to select a strong team to represent Kenya in Senegal. Africa have the best chances of making the Olympic team in Dakar and we want Kenyans to rule the roost there and have over 10 boxers securing their tickets to Tokyo,” Ombok said on Wednesday.

Head coach Benjamin Musa says six more boxers will be axed to remain with eight men and five women for the trip to Senegal, hoping to get the best out of his boxers through training at high altitude in Nanyuki.  

“In Nanyuki, we focus on techniques to help boxers punch harder, faster and with precision. They need to learn to use their footwork to glide in the ring. We will get to Dakar in the best form,” said Musa.

International Olympic Committee has set out four continental events and a final world qualification event from February to May 2020 for the boxers to seal their places at the Tokyo 2020 Games, with the world event only open to those who failed to secure a ticket.

The number of female boxers has been tripled for Tokyo 2020.