Kenya’s national boxing team, the Hit Squad, has secured the inaugural World Boxing African Championships title after collecting 14 medals at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi. The hosts topped the overall standings with five gold, three silver and six bronze medals, finishing ahead of Algeria in a closely contested championship.

Algeria also won five gold and three silver medals but settled for second place after collecting three bronze medals. Uganda finished third in the competition, which brought together 15 countries and more than 150 boxers from across Africa. The victory marks a major milestone for Kenyan boxing, with the home team taking advantage of familiar surroundings and strong local support to emerge as the continent’s first champions under the World Boxing African Championships.

Grace Atieno and Rosemarion Otieno Lead Kenya’s Gold Rush

Kenya’s women boxers played a crucial role in the team’s success, with Grace Atieno and Rosemarion Otieno delivering standout performances in their respective finals. Atieno claimed gold in the minimumweight category, covering the 46–48kg division, after defeating Tanzania’s Veronica Thomas Mapunda. The Kenyan dominated the contest, forcing the referee to stop the bout in the third round before the final bell. Rosemarion Otieno also secured gold in the women’s lightweight division after overcoming Algeria’s Ichrak Chaib.

Otieno controlled the contest over the three rounds and earned a unanimous points decision. Her impressive performance was recognised with the overall Best Female Boxer award. Juliet Opondo added another gold medal to Kenya’s tally in the women’s heavyweight division after stopping Tanzania’s Rachel Msengi in the opening round.

Friza Asiko and Elizabeth Akinyi Strengthen Kenya’s Medal Haul

Friza Asiko contributed to the hosts’ impressive campaign by winning the women’s light middleweight contest against Egypt’s Hamza Tia on points. Asiko displayed speed, accuracy and tactical discipline to overcome her opponent and secure another victory for the Kenyan team.

Elizabeth Akinyi also impressed in the women’s light heavyweight division against Nigeria’s Blessing Orakyue. Akinyi showcased her strength and punching accuracy, flooring her opponent during the contest. However, Kenya’s Veronica Mbithe missed out on gold in the women’s flyweight category after losing 4–1 to Algeria’s Fatiha Mansouri. Despite attempting a late comeback, Mbithe was unable to overturn the deficit after Mansouri established an advantage in the earlier rounds, leaving the Kenyan with a silver medal.

Kelvin Maina Named Best Male Boxer

In the men’s competition, Kelvin Maina emerged as one of Kenya’s leading performers after winning the flyweight division and earning the Best Male Boxer award. Maina defeated Angola’s Martinho Loureiro Ferreira through a disciplined display that combined intelligent movement, sharp counterattacks and effective defence. His ability to control the pace of the bout helped him secure the victory and earn individual recognition at the continental competition. Kenya’s super heavyweight boxer Clinton “Abu” Macharia, however, fell short of gold in the men’s over-90kg category after losing to Algeria’s Sid Ahmed Moussaoui.

Kenya Finishes Ahead of Algeria in Historic Championship

The Hit Squad’s overall victory was sealed by a balanced performance across the different weight divisions, with the team collecting medals in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Finishing ahead of Algeria, which matched Kenya’s gold and silver medal tally, highlighted the importance of the additional bronze medals in determining the final standings.

The championship brought together some of Africa’s leading boxing talent, providing a continental platform for athletes to compete for medals and demonstrate their abilities. For Kenya, the triumph at Kasarani represents a significant achievement for the national boxing programme and offers encouragement as the Hit Squad continues its pursuit of success in international competitions.