
Bakari, Anyango carry Kenya's last hopes in race for Olympics qualification
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 08.03.24. | 09:30
The two are the only remaining active Hit Squad members after a record four were shown the door this week
Within the first week of boxing action in the 2024 Paris Olympics 1st World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy, Kenya’s attempt to field a representative in the summer games has been dealt a huge blow, with the projected number of six now down to two that are still active in the competition.
Tonight, Shaffi Bakari and Frizah Anyango will complete the round on Day Seven of the tournament running till Monday 11 March, all with the aim of doing what their Hit Squad counterparts couldn’t do - get past the first match.
After receiving a preliminary round bye, Bakari will face a tricky opponent in Rustamov Umid from Azerbaijan after his first round win over UAE’s Alzahmi Nawwaf in the Round of 64.
The formbook indicates that Umid, who has two pro-bouts (all wins) in his boxing career, will be the favorite, but the 2019 All Africa Games flyweight silver medalist will want to make the first step, at least by the latest standards, to make an appearance in Paris.
Highly fancied Anyango will on the other hand take on Guatemala’s Chiroy Maria in a welterweight Round of 32 fight.
Voices from the camp indicate that of all boxers, based on their draws, Anyango has the best chance to secure a win, one that could potentially push her closer to an Olympics dream.
Following Christine Ongare’s loss on Sunday, Kenya suffered more anguish as all three boxers fighting after her this week suffered first round exits.

Skipper Boniface Mugunde was knocked out in the second round by Croatia's Peter Knezevic on Tuesday before David Karanja and Elizabeth Andiego lost 5-0 on points to Round of 32 challengers Bibossinov Saken of Kazakhstan and Lithuania’s Stonkute Gabriele respectively.











