Ongare storm into Tokyo Olympics as qualifiers conclude in Dakar

Two Kenyan boxers have earned slots at this year’s Olympic Games after Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Christine Ongare qualified for the Summer Games on Saturday as curtains came down on the Africa Olympics Boxing qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal.

Ongare defeated Uganda’s Catherine Nanziri in the Box-Off of the women’s flyweight (48-51kgs) in a unanimous decision to also bag a bronze medal in the continental tourney.

The 26-year-old now joins ‘Hit Squad’ captain Nick Okoth who had already secured his ticket in the men’s featherweight (52-57kgs).

As she gears to make her debut at the Olympics, Ongare opened up to the Olympic Channel on her early struggles in the sport.

“I have gone through a lot, at 12 I was already a mother and life was not easy especially being raised by a single mother…I have held onto boxing in my life…I know many girls are going through many challenges in East lands…,” she said.

Ongare opened the competition with a unanimous decision win over Ornella Havyarimana of Burundi at the preliminary stages before edging Modestine Munga of DRC in quarters to storm to semis also in a unanimous decision.

She however lost to Rabab Cheddar of Algeria in the semifinals thus setting up a Box-Off tie with Nanziri.

At the week-long competition held at the Dakar Arena, Kenya notched four medals; one silver and three bronze.

Having already qualified for the global event, Okoth settled for silver after losing to Zambian Everisto Mulenga in the finals that were also held on Saturday.

Alongside Ongare’s, the other two bronze medals were bagged by Elizabeth Akinyi and Elly AJowi.

Kenya took a squad of 13 boxers (8 men and 5 women) for the qualifiers to battle it out for the 33 slots that were available for African continent at the Olympic Games.