Two more Kenyans qualify for Olympics

Elizabeth Akinyi (in red jersey) of KENTRACK ABC trades punches with Media Muhatia (in blue jersey) of OKSA ABC in their middle weight women 75kgs category final bout during the road to Olympics boxing championship at the Modern Fitness Lounge, January 24, 2016. Akinyi won by points and was among those selected to represent Kenya. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

As the National Boxing Team heads to Kinshasa for Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships this morning, two boxers have also qualified for this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

The duo are two time Olympian and national heavyweight champion Elly Ajowi and female national welterweight champion Elizabeth Akinyi.

The IOC Boxing Task Force in a mail to Olympics Kenya confirmed that the two boxers have earned a quota place to the Games through the BTF Rankings.

“It is a dream come true and a morale booster to the playing unit heading to Democratic Republic of Congo for the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships,” said Boxing Federation of Kenya Communication Director Duncan Kuria.

Their qualification brings to four the number of Kenyan pugilists heading to Japan for the games.

The others are 2015 Africa Boxing Championships lightweight gold medalist Nick ‘Commander’ Okoth and national flyweight champion Christine Ongare who made it at the Africa Olympic Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal last year.

The quartet is among the 16 boxers who leave this morning for the six-day Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships boxing off tomorrow in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Head coach Benjamin Musa confirmed that the inclusion of the two boxers had given them morale and the much needed impetus for a good performance at the continental championships.