Kenya Police Service head coach Dave Munuhe was ecstatic after his charges rose above competition to tuck away the men's overall title at the National Open Boxing Championship at Charter Hall over the weekend.
Affectionately known as 'Chafua Chafua' by their dotting fans, the gallant law enforcers wrapped up the competition with 21 points, defeating their fierce rivals KDF, who finished second with 16 points.
Kenya Police competed in eight, winning five and placing second in three while KDF competed in six men's weight divisions, winning four and placing second in two, while Munuhe, beaming with pride, spoke of their valiant fight and their ambition to cultivate future international medalists.
"I'm glad we managed to maintain our status as national champions and I thank the team for making us proud once more. We put up a valiant fight against some very fierce rivals," Munuhe said.
"We intend to mould excellent boxers who have what it takes to win medals for the country on the international stage," he added.
Kenya Prisons Department emerged third with 11 points, followed by Nairobi County (7), Siaya County (3), Kibra Boxing Club (3), Kisumu County (2), Kongowea (2) and Nakuru (2).
However, KDF made amends by defeating Siaya County, the runners-up, by one point to win the overall women's title with seven points.
Siaya County went for two and won both by stopper with ease, while KDF competed for four weight category titles, winning two and placing second in two. Kenya Police Service finished third with three points, followed by Kibra Boxing Club (3), Kisumu County (2), Nairobi County (2) and Meru County (2).
This championship marked the third local boxing event of the year, hosted by the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK). It extended over four days due to a high number of participants, with 105 male and 21 female boxers competing, highlighting a robust interest in the sport.
Among the thrilling matches, Robert Okaka’s split decision victory over Humphrey Ochieng stood out, exemplifying the intense competition during the championship.
The tournament also featured surprising upsets, with notable boxers like Abednego Kyalo and Ann Wanjiru suffering unexpected defeats, underlining boxing's unpredictable nature.
The tournament also featured surprising upsets, with notable boxers like Abednego Kyalo and Ann Wanjiru suffering unexpected defeats, underlining boxing's unpredictable nature.
Emerging talents such as Emmanuel Chondo and Sonia Atieno showcased their skills, suggesting a promising future for boxing in Kenya with a new generation of potential champions.
The presence of boxing legends added a layer of prestige to the event. Figures such as Abdulraman “Kapsi” Ramadhan, George "Mosquito" Findo, Ibrahim "Surf" Bilali, and many others were not only a source of inspiration for the young boxers but also a reminder of the rich history and tradition of boxing in Kenya.
