Why Kenyan boxers are anxious ahead of Africa Zone Three Championships
Boxing
By
Ben Ahenda
| Oct 15, 2025
Lack of knowledge of opponents Kenyan boxers will face at the Africa Zone Three Boxing Championships has given them anxious moments before the event boxes off tomorrow in Nairobi.
And it could spread to doom their ambition of lifting the overall title.
Most boxers interviewed were not privy to the kind of opponents they could face, save for a few in their quest to snatch the overall title from defending champions Democratic Republic of Congo.
They depend on the rigorous training sessions they have gone through with their panel of coaches.
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Despite taking part in the regional championships for the first time, experienced Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) welterweight (64kg) boxer Frazer Anyango said he hopes to win a gold medal.
“Most of my opponents are unknown to me, but the kind of training we have gone through is enough to give us morale to do better things in the ring,” Anyango told Standard Sports.
She admitted only knowing opponents from DRC whom she has met several times at the Africa Boxing Championships.
Asked if he had done enough research on his opponents, flyweight (51kg) Diouf Mwimbi said he was ready for anybody brought in the ring from the 13 countries featuring in the showpiece.
“It’ll be my first time to represent Kenya in an international championship, but I’m ready to win a gold medal here,” said Mwimbi.
Experienced Lorna Kusa, who makes a comeback after a long layoff, said she’s ready for it at light heavyweight (81kg) from light middleweight (71kg).
“Having featured in the last international assignment in 2023 resulted in me shifting to a higher weight as opposed to my normal middleweight. However, I’m ready for the big tussle,” Kusa explained.
Bantamweight (54kg) debutante boxer Sheillah Auma will depend on intense training to destroy her opponents.
Owing to the pressure that goes with the tournament, Auma, who was not keen on the medal she could win, said all she wanted was to win a medal.
Just like Auma, Chris Ochanda, who’ll try his luck in the cruiserweight (86kg) hopes to win a gold medal in the regional championships.
“I’m in the best shape, and after intense training, I’m hoping by the help of God to win a gold medal. I'm ready for it,” said Ochanda.
Despite his inexperience, lightweight (60kg) boxer Emmanuel Omondi said they have what it takes to turn tables on their opponents when the tournament starts tomorrow after the final draws this afternoon.
“I believe in myself after rigorous training from the coaches. We are giving morale amongst ourselves, and we are determined not to be defeated at home,” he said.
The same sentiments were shared by lightweight Washington Wandera.
“I have done my bit in training sessions, and I leave the rest to the Almighty God,” he said.