This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
Kenya's national boxing team, the Hit Squad, is gearing up for the Konstantin Korotkov Memorial International Boxing Championships in Russia, a crucial test ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The team, consisting of four boxers, including Africa Zone Three super-heavyweight gold medallist Elly Ajowi, 2015 Africa Boxing Championships lightweight gold medallist Nick Okoth, Commonwealth Games flyweight bronze medallist Christine Ongare, and National welterweight champion Elizabeth Akinyi, will face off against well-established global opponents.
Head Coach Musa Benjamin emphasized the importance of these international friendly tournaments, stating, "We are taking a tournament at a time and a match at a time in all these assignments. They'll be beneficial to us and each player has taken their bouts seriously while learning from each match," coach Benjamin told Standard Sports.
The tournament, held at the Lenina Regional Sports Complex Stadium in Khabarovsk, Russia, will be the team's penultimate international friendly assignment before the Olympics, which will take place from July 23 to August 8.
Kenya had previously sent a squad of 16 boxers to the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where they won a total of 13 medals - one gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals.
"Having in mind the time to heal, train, and rest for boxers and members of the technical bench, the three international friendly competitions are enough for us (technical bench) to gauge their (players) strengths and weaknesses before we enter the official residential training camp for the Olympics," coach Benjamin said.
