Kenyan boxers gear up for Africa Olympic qualifiers with specialised training in Cuba

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BOXING Kenyan boxers gear up for Africa Olympic qualifiers with specialised training in Cuba

Festus Chuma 10:00 - 01.09.2023

The Hit Squad, is training in Cuba with support from the government ahead of the Africa Olympic Qualifiers in Senegal.

Kenya's national boxing team, the Hit Squad, is actively preparing for the Africa Olympic Qualifiers through specialised training in Cuba. 

The team arrived in Havana, Cuba's capital city, on Sunday for a 10-day training camp at the La Finca Gym.

This training camp is made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Youth Affairs, The Arts, and Sports in Kenya, and the Cuban government. 

In an interview head coach Musa Benjamin emphasised the significance of this training for the boxers as it provides them with exclusive exposure before the continental qualifiers.

"The trip to Havana is a historic moment in Kenya's boxing history, and the training here will provide our boxers with the crucial exposure that is often hard to come by. We are grateful for this opportunity,” Musa told reporters.

The Hit Squad comprises ten boxers, including two-time Olympian Nick Okoth and Commonwealth Games champion Christine Ongare.

“The Cuban boxers are highly experienced and are imparting valuable knowledge to us. We are learning a lot about technique and strategy while also engaging in productive sparring sessions,” said Okoth.

The Africa Olympic Qualifiers are set to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from September 6th to 16th, 2023. The top three boxers in each weight category will secure qualification for the Olympics.

The Hit Squad is confident in their abilities to qualify for the Olympics. Christine Ongare stated, "We are putting in the hard work and are determined to earn our spot at the Olympics. We understand that it will be a tough challenge, but we are fully prepared."

The team is expected to return directly from Havana to Dakar on September 4th, giving them a few days to finalise their preparations for the Africa Olympic Qualifiers.

Hit Squad members in Cuba preparing for Africa Olympic qualifiers

Women

1. Christine Ongare- Flyweight

2. Amina Martha- Bantamweight

3. Pauline Chege- Featherweight

4. Teresia Wanjiru - lightweight

5. Friza Anyango- welterweight

6. Elizabeth Andiego- Middleweight

Men

1. David Karanja - Flyweight

2. Samuel Njau - Featherweight

3. Ethan Maina - Lightweight

4. Boniface Mogunde - Light middleweight

5. Peter Abuti - Heavyweight

6. Fredrick Ramogi - Super Heavyweight