WWBC: Kusa down and out as Ongare promises to rumble
Kenya's
Lorna Kusa fell to Kazakhstan's Valentina Khalzova in the first round of their
light-middleweight bout on the opening day of Women's World Boxing
Championships in Istanbul.
Kusa,
who was making a second appearance in the championship after participating in
2010 in Barbados, struggled to match Khalzova who took charge from the first
bell forcing the referee to stop the fight after a second standing count after
the Kenyan boxer made a trip to the canvas.
Before
the fight, ‘Hit Squad’ head coach Benjamin Musa had conceded that they did not
know much about Kusa’s opponent which was going to make it difficult for them
to prepare comprehensively.
“We
had ample time to prepare for this championship after also participating in the
zone 3 competitions. We don't know much about our opponent but we shall handle
it tactically hoping our boxer will follow our instructions and give it her
all,” Musa said ahead of the opening bout.
After
that disappointment, all eyes will this evening be on the 2018 Commonwealth
Games bronze medalist and Olympian Christine Ongare who will be the second
Kenyan to get into the ring against Ukrainian Hanna Okhota.
Fresh
from earning a silver medal at the African Zone 3 Championship, Ongare says she
is ready to rumble in Istanbul.
“We
had a few connection flights on our way to this place which makes you feel
tired but we have acclimatized. Our preparation in Kenya was fine and we are
here for an assignment, and I’m ready to rumble. This time I am more than ready
because I am now fighting in my natural weight category and no man is limited
so I am coming with a medal,” said Ongare.
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