Breaking news:
Twelve of the boxers including African Military Games champion Kelvin Maina, Diouf Muimi, Mwinyi Kombo and Caleb Wandera will be making their international debuts
Kenya’s national team head coach Musa Benjamin has selected 34 boxers – 23 men and 11 women – to represent Kenya’s team nicknamed Hit Squad in Africa Zone 3 Championships in Nairobi from October 16-25.
Missing in action are two-times Africa Championships light-heavyweight bronze medallist Robert Okaka aka Man Man Ngori and Africa Military Games bantamweight champion Dennis Muthama. The two KDF soldiers will not be at Kasarani Indoor Arena because they’re currently committed at work.
As hosts Kenya should have paraded 50 boxers of two teams each – 26 men and 24 women – in men and women but owing to lack of depth in women’s boxing and men’s heavier weights in particular head coach Musa had to settle for 34 boxers but more might be brought on board later because the train has not yet left the station.
“I’m the happiest coach today seeing new boys and girls in the team getting an opportunity to represent the national team,” said Musa, adding: “We’re still in consultation on the possibility of adding more boxers, irrespective of the results my joy is to see more boxers fulfilling their dreams of representing the national team.”
Twelve boxers – 10 men and two women – will make their international debuts.
They are flyweight Diouf Muimi, Africa Military Games champion Kelvin Maina, bantamweight Emmanuel Chondo, featherweights Paul Omondi, Mwinyi Kombo, lightweight Washington Wandera, light-welterweight Caleb Wandera, welterweight Wiseman Kavondo, light-middleweight Alvin Oduor and heavyweight John Oyugi. The two women’s debutants are minimumweight Jane Wangare and bantamweight Sheila Auma.
Back in the team is Lorna Kusa, a silver medallist at the 2022 Zone 3 Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo. She has moved up to light-heavyweight with team captain Liz Andiego dropping to middleweight. Kusa and Andiego are the longest-serving members in the Zone 3 team having first represented the national women’s team in the 2010 Women’s World Championships in Barbados with Kusa at featherweight and Andiego middleweight.
Here is the team of 34 boxers, coaches, trainers, physios and doctor:
*MEN*
*Minimumweight* (48kg)
Silas Onyango Abednego Kyalo
*Flyweight* (51kg)
Diouf Muimi
Kelvin Maina
*Bantamweight* (54kg)
Shaffi Bakari Emmanuel Chondo
*Featherweight* (57kg)
Paul Omondi Mwinyi Kombo
*Lightweight* (60kg)
Washington Wandera
Ethan Maina
*Light-welterweight* (63.5kg)
Aloice Vincent Caleb Wandera
*Welterweight* (67kg)
Joseph Shighali Wiseman Kavondo
*Light-middleweight* (71kg)
Bonny Mogunde
Alvin Oduor
*Middleweight* (75kg)
Edwin Okon’go
Cosby Ouma
*Light-heavyweight* (80kg)
Humphrey Ochieng
*Cruiserweight* (86kg)
Chris Ochanda
*Heavyweight* (92kg)
Peter Abuti
John Oyugi
*Super-heavyweight* (92+)
Clinton Macharia
*WOMEN*
*Minimumweight* (48kg)
Jane Wangari
*Light-flyweight* (50kg)
Lencer Akinyi
*Flyweight* (52Kg)
Veronica Mbithe
Faith Nafuna
*Bantamweight* (54kg)
Amina Martha
Sheila Auma
*Lightweight* (60kg)
Emilly Juma
*Light-welterweight* (63.5kg)
Cynthia Mwai
*Welterweight* ( 66kg)
Friza Anyango
*Middleweight* (75 kg)
Liz Andiego
*Light-heavyweight* (81kg)
Lorna Kusa
*COACHES*
Benjamin Musa
David Munuhe
John Waweru
*TRAINERS*
Julius Theuri
John ‘Chea’ Omondi
James Wasao
*DOCTOR*
Dr.Julius Ogeto
*PHYSIOS*
Sospeter Kinuthia
Justus Mutinda Kyalo
