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Omar Kasongo: Boxing whizz kid’s dreams were floored by a computer

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Omar Ahmed Kasongo [Courtesy]

The man, clad in a red Kenya sporting shirt, leapt towards Nigerian-Canadian David Defiagbon. It was round one, 1996, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Olympic heavyweight boxing quarter finals.

Omar Ahmed Kasongo, Kenya, Commonwealth and Africa champ, ranked fifth best amateur boxer in the world, was expected to steamroll over Defiagbon for a mouthwatering semifinal clash with ageing Cuban boxing legend and twice Olympic champion, Felix Savon.

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