Boxing. National lightweight boxing champion Akinyi has enrolled in ‘Kazi Mtaani’ to make ends meet

Evelyne Akinyi, 26 year old National Lightweight Champion boxer trains outside her family residence in Arina Estate in Kisumu on August 25,2020. She has resorted to training obese women and doing menial jobs within Kisumu to earn a living.(Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

National women’s Lightweight champion Evelyn Akinyi does not believe in failure.

The coronavirus pandemic might have disrupted sports in the country, but she has turned her home into an alternative training ground as she strives to punch her way to glory.

The 26-year-old says she could not afford to lose focus even during these times when there are no sports activities as she is determined to one day bring glory to Kenya in a major boxing competition.

“Covid-19 disrupted everything. Especially with the social distance rule, we cannot use the gym but even if we are allowed, I cannot afford the gymnasium fees,’ Akinyi said during an interview with the Standard Sports.

With no source of income to purchase some of the items she needs for training at home, Akinyi has resorted to using whatever is available, which includes using shoes as cones for drills.

To fend for herself, the boxer depends on menial jobs, which include training a group of women who are determined to lose weight.

Furthermore, she enrolled under the ‘Kazi Mtaani’ programme, cleaning slums and schools.

She has appealed for support from both the Kenya Boxing Federation and government to help her in achieving her dream of turning pro and flying Kenya’s flag high internationally.

“My life now is just boxing and I cannot thrive in it without income and training facilities. We don’t have a standardised boxing gym, gloves, cones, bags, ropes that I can use to develop myself. If I can get support, who knows, I might be the next Conjestina Achieng or Fatuma Zarika,” she said.

“My main objective is to win a major title for Kenya during major boxing championships internationally. This is what keeps me going everyday.”

Despite coming short at last year’s African Games in Rabat, Morocco and failing to qualify for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics during the Africa qualifiers held in Dakar, Senegal earlier this year, Akinyi is upbeat she will be ready for the next major boxing outing.

“I cannot give up now. I learnt vital lessons during the two outings and I believe with my progress in training, I will be at a better position than before,” she said.

At the 2019 African Games, Akinyi suffered an early elimination after losing to Moula Khouloud of Tunisia in the first preliminary round.

However, her performance improved during the Olympic Qualifiers held in February after advancing to the quarter-finals stage, a feat she is keen to surpass.

“From the two international events, I saw progress and I want to keep the curve going up by advancing to the finals or even winning it next time out,” she said confidently.

Akinyi started out as footballer.

“I featured for three clubs in Kisumu. First, I played for Smart Ladies before switching to Galactico Football Clubs (all defunct), and finally moving to Manyatta United,” she said.