Kenya’s boxing team at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Championships has faced difficulties with early exits from Pauline Chege and Lencer Akinyi in the Round of 16. Team captain Liz Andiego is the last remaining fighter, aiming for a quarterfinal win in her fifth competition appearance. The prize pool is substantial, and only boxers winning at least one bout qualify for rewards.
Kenya’s representation at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships has faced significant challenges, with boxers Pauline Chege and Lencer Akinyi exiting the competition during the Round of 16 in Serbia. Currently, only team captain Liz Andiego remains active in the tournament, targeting a quarterfinal bout to revitalize Kenya’s hopes.
On day four of the championship, Chege faced tough competition against Mijgona Samadova, a seasoned fighter and bronze medalist from the 2022 Asian Games. The bout was stopped by the referee, Wilfredo Vazquez Calro, at 66 seconds into the second round due to Chege being unable to beat the count after sustaining significant damage throughout the match.
In a similarly disappointing outcome, Lencer Akinyi, who was competing in her first World Championships, was overwhelmed by teenager Dragana Jovanovic. The bout concluded in a mere 102 seconds when Kyrgyzstani referee Zhamila Borkoeva called the match, unable to allow Akinyi to continue.
Both athletes reached the Round of 16 by virtue of walkovers, with Chege competing against Montenegro’s Bojana Gojkovic and Akinyi advancing due to South Africa’s Thandolwethu Mathiba’s absence. Their departures add to the list of eliminations for the Kenyan team, which also includes Amina Martha Faki, Cynthia Mwai, Emily Juma, Friza Anyango, and Veronica Mbithe.
With seven out of eight fighters eliminated, Liz Andiego remains as Kenya’s final hope. The 38-year-old veteran will compete in her fifth World Championships, having secured a bye to the light-heavyweight quarterfinals against China’s Wang Xiaomeng. A victory would yield a minimum of $25,000 in prize money for Andiego, as the total prize pool of the championships is $2.88 million.
Kenya’s appearance at this championship is its fifth, having participated in 2010, 2012, 2022, and 2023. Christine Ongare is notably the sole Kenyan boxer to achieve a non-walkover victory in previous editions, doing so in 2023. Per tournament regulations, only boxers who win at least one bout are eligible for prize money, with competitors also required to be under 41 years of age.
Kenya’s delegation in Serbia comprises David Muhuhe as the leader, coach Musa Benjamin, and team manager Gathoni Kinyua. The championship will conclude on March 16, 2025.
The 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships has proven challenging for Kenya, as Pauline Chege and Lencer Akinyi faced early eliminations, leaving team captain Liz Andiego as the only surviving competitor. With previous representations and a significant prize pool, the team aims to conclude the tournament with a strong performance, while the leadership and experience of Andiego could pave the way for redemption.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
