Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) has named a 24-member Hit Squad provisional ahead of Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa is confident that the squad has the capacity to make the country proud.
The pugilists were selected after a fiercely contested three-day trial that concluded at Nairobi’s Charter Hall over the weekend. Musa revealed that the same team will fly the country’s flag at the forthcoming Africa Boxing Championships.
“The IBA guidelines permit all categories at the Africa Boxing Championships. That means, we will have more boxers competing in the regional showpiece than in the Olympics,” he explained.
The 2023 IBA World Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Hezron Maganga is among those who got a lifeline following the decision.
Maganga, who plies trade for the Kenya Defence Forces’ team, lost to teammate Peter Buti who floored him to claim the title.
Musa warned those who made the team to punch above their weight, noting that the final pick will be based on merit. He lavished praise on 19-year-old lightweight Joshua Clive and his 20-year-old colleague Aloice Vincent who displayed immense potential during the trials.
Hit Squad for Africa Olympic Qualifiers 2023: Men: David Karanja (51kg), Samuel Njau (57kg), Ethan Maina (63.5kg), Boniface Mogunde (71kg), Robert Okaka (80kg), Peter Abuti (92kg) and Fredrick Ramogi (92+ Kg); Women : Christine Ongare (50kg), Amina Martha (54kg), Angela Otieno (57kg), Friza Anyango (66kg), Elizabeth Andiego ( 75kg); Sparring partners—Men: Kelvin Maina (51kg), Shaffi Bakari (57kg), Aloice Vincent (63.5kg), Steve Olang (71kg), Glensonton Agade (80kg), Hezron Maganga (92kg), Joshua Clive (63.5kg), Edwin Okong’o (80kg), Abednego Kyalo (51kg); Women: Ann Wanjiru (50kg), Pauline Chege ( 57 kg) and Teresia Wanjiru (66kg).