To date, we can still not talk about boxing without mentioning Robert Wangila (late), who became the first African gold medalist during the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Who would forget Omar Kasongo, the golden boy who lit up the scenes in the 1990s by winning a number of gold medals for Kenya from global stages-missing to turn pro by a whisker?
Then there was Stephen Muchoki- arguably Kenya’s most successful amateur boxer. Born on December 23 1956, Muchoki, boxing primarily in the Light Flyweight, shocked the world before turning 18. A product of Nakuru boxing club, he won the silver medal at the inaugural world boxing championships in Cuba after beating Jose Ibiri of Argentina, Remus Cosma of Romania and Evgeniy Yudin of Russia.
Muchoki’s heydays coincided with those of multiple Olympic champion Philip Warunge and John Wanjau.
Other household names who have lifted Kenyan flag high include David Olulu, “Diblo” Okinyi, Nick Okoth, the late Steve Moi, “Bulinga” Otieno, Joseph “Mish” Miyumo and Athanus Nzau besides Chris Sande and Valdez Ochieng, both champions at the Kings Cup in Bangkok Thailand (now known as Thailand International Invitational boxing tournament) before going pro in Denmark and America respectively.
In 1987, another bunch of Kenyans ran riot at the 4th All Africa Games staged in Nairobi. Of Kenya’s 12 boxers, eight-won gold: David ‘DK’ Kamau (lightwelter), Stephen Mwema (bantam), Patrick ‘Mont’ Waweru (feather), John Wanjau (lightweight), Maurice Maina (light flyweight), Mohammed ‘Body’ Orungi (middleweight), Robert Wangila (welterweight) and Chris Odera (superheavyweight).
But for the longest time, things had drastically changed. Our glory days seem to have been blown up in the air. Where did we go wrong, to an extent that most boxers – both retired and active, have been languishing in abject poverty?
Muchoki, who is currently living in Nairobi’s Dandora estate, says the main problem has been the boxing association, but he insists that lack of self-discipline is another major reason for the sorry situation.
“The old guys have been forgotten. The association officials, for the longest time, have literary avoided the legends for fear of being rivals in office-which is very wrong because most of us are not interested in the positions. I believe that the fear has resulted in them neglecting us,” he told Opera News.
“During our time, we were never into drugs. If you look around, you’ll find the likes of Philip Waruinge, still strong. Sometimes it boils down to individual discipline,” he said, in relation to a state which has seen the likes of Conjestina Achieng and Suleiman Bilali’s health deteriorate.
Nowadays, most athletes cannot afford even basic needs, leave alone the equipment. Until a change of leadership was made at the helm of Kenya Boxing Association, now known as Kenya Boxing Federation when long-serving John Kameta was replaced by Anthony Otieno, the situation has been worse. Worse to the extent that players shared gum-shields in some events, after walking long distances to the training halls or fighting events.
“In the olden days, legends or more experienced boxers were always brought in to offer moral support to the coaches and to motivate players. And everything went well. That’s why we shone for a very long time in the sport and represented the country at top competitions in the world,” Muchoki added.
Charles Mukula, the coach at Dallas social hall, says athletes training and fighting at the place, have been deprived of important things in life including toilets, but he believes that things will soon improve with the new leadership.
With Anthony ‘Jamal’ Otieno at the helm of the boxing association, Kenya registered remarkable show at 2019 All Africa Games. Commonwealth women bronze medalist Christine Ongare and Olympian Nick Okoth led Team-Kenya in Morocco.
But can Kenya get back on its foot?