The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Christine Ongare has vowed to storm the podium at the IBA World Women’s Boxing Championship scheduled for New Delhi, India in March.
The seasoned national team pugilist said she will rely on her wealth of experience to pull off a vintage performance in the top international show,having represented Kenya in several international tournaments among them the Tokyo Olympics and Burmingham Commonwealth Games.
“Coming home empty-handed from Birmingham and Tokyo was a nightmare I would like to forget so soon. There is no longer any time to lament the lost chances. I learned some crucial lessons that will help me perform well in India.”
Born on November 26, 1993, Ongare overcame a difficult upbringing to punch her way to glory.
She comprises 28 boxers who have been punching furiously on the bag in a non-residential training camp in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.
Others in the team include Africa Boxing Championships silver medalist Elizabeth Andiego and Africa Zone Three champion Elizabeth Akinyi.
Team head coach Musa Benjamin has expressed hope that his charges will perform well for an event slated for 15-26 of next month.
“In Istanbul last year we did not get a medal but in all the fights we had no stoppages which was an improvement unlike in previous editions which added them points to be able to take part in other championships. It used to be that our boxers enter the ring and within a minute it’s over when you see the referee stop the fight to save them from being hurt more,” said Musa.
Last year Kenya participated in the participated in the World Women Boxing Championships, in Istanbul, Turkey returning home empty handed after a previous successful trip to Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships where each of the 10 boxers came back with a medal.
–kbc.co.ke
