▪️The 19-year-old Lincoln, a member of Kasarani Youth Boxing Club, is one of Africa’s Emerging Stars from Kenya
Newly-crowned national novices welterweight champion Elvis Lincoln showed grit and resilience during the National Novices Championships at the Greenpark Terminus Hall in Nairobi, Kenya.
Lincoln put on a dominant show to outpoint Kisumu’s Joshua Onyango to emerge the most impressive performer in the finals on February 7, 2026.
How did it all start for this aggressive and determined young boxer?
Lincoln’s boxing journey began in late 2023 at Kasarani Youth Boxing Club, then known as Ruaraka Boxing Club under the tutelage of coach Benjamin Musyoka commonly known as Benja.
From the very first days, Lincoln stood out—not because of wins or titles, but because of his eagerness to learn, discipline, and deep passion for boxing. He listened, trained hard, asked questions, and showed a rare hunger to understand the sport.
The coaches quickly oticed his commitment and work ethic. Impressed by his progress and determination, they selected him for his first competitive outing at the Youth Juniors School-Going Boys and Girls Boxing Championship held in Umoja. Unfortunately, this debut came with a harsh lesson. During his bout, heavy rain made the canvas slippery; Lincoln slipped, twisted his knee, and sustained an injury that cost him the fight. It was a painful setback—both physically and mentally.
The injury forced Lincoln to stay away from training for a considerable period. For many young boxers, that would have been the end of the road. But not for Lincoln. Toward the end of the year, after some recovery, he returned to the gym with renewed focus. The coaches carefully rebuilt him, and he went on to participate again in the Juniors Championship and was later introduced to competitive leagues through Boxing League 5 in 2024. Though he fought his way to the finals, he suffered another defeat—yet another test of character.
In 2025, being in Form Four, coaches adviced Lincoln the difficult but wise decision to prioritize his education, focusing mainly on the Youth Junior Championship while preparing for his final examinations. Once exams were over, he returned to boxing stronger, sharper, and more mature.
His comeback was emphatic. At Boxing League 5 held at Githurai Thailand, Lincoln delivered a statement performance. He defeated three opponents by Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) in rounds one and two, and went on to win his final bout convincingly by a 3–0 decision. This performance clearly showed that Lincoln was ready for the next level.
Recognizing his readiness, the coaches prepared him for the Nairobi Novice Championships. Once again, Lincoln rose to the occasion—stopping all his opponents by RSC in rounds one or two. In the finals, he faced a formidable opponent, but through resilience, skill, and heart, he secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory after three intense rounds.
His success in Nairobi earned him a slot at the National Novice Championships, where Lincoln continued his dominant form. He defeated his first three opponents by RSC, and in the final bout, he beat Kisumu’s Joshua Onyango via a close 2-1 decision to crown an outstanding campaign.
Today, Elvis Lincoln stands as a true example of perseverance, discipline, and growth. From injury and defeat to national success, his journey reflects the spirit of Kasarani Youth Boxing Club. His dream is clear: to be employed by the Kenya Defence Forces and ultimately earn selection to Kenya’s national team.
With his determination, resilience, and steady progress, Elvis Lincoln’s story is far from over—it is only just beginning.
Lincoln’s focus now shifts to the Intermediate Championships aiming to stamp his authority once again and punch his way to the Kenya Open to battle the big boys in the welterweight category.
