Kenya faced significant challenges at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships as Pauline Chege and Lencer Akinyi were eliminated in the Round of 16, leaving team captain Liz Andiego as the only remaining competitor. Andiego will compete in the quarterfinals, while the championship continues to highlight the struggles of Kenyan boxers in international competitions.
Kenya continues to face challenges at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, as Pauline Chege and Lencer Akinyi were eliminated in the Round of 16. This leaves team captain Liz Andiego as the last remaining competitor for Kenya, who must now look to her upcoming quarterfinal bout for hope.
On the fourth day of the championships in Nis, Serbia, both Chege and Akinyi were unable to advance. Chege, facing 2022 Asian Games bronze medalist Mijgona Samadova, lost by referee stoppage in the second round, with the judges scoring the match decisively against her. Akinyi, in her world championship debut, was stopped in just over a minute by Serbian Dragana Jovanovic, demonstrating the high level of competition.
Both athletes entered the Round of 16 after advancing by walkovers, with Chege benefiting from the absence of Montenegro’s Bojana Gojkovic, and Akinyi advancing thanks to South Africa’s Thandolwethu Mathiba not participating. Their defeats contribute to Kenya’s extensive list of eliminations in this championship, following earlier losses by other boxers including Amina Martha Faki and Cynthia Mwai.
With seven out of eight fighters eliminated, Liz Andiego stands as Kenya’s sole competitor. The experienced 38-year-old boxer received a bye to the light-heavyweight quarterfinals and will face China’s Wang Xiaomeng, who won her previous bout. A successful outcome for Andiego will guarantee her a minimum of $25,000 in prize money.
The total prize pool for the competition is $2.88 million, with varying amounts for gold, silver, and semi-finalist winners. Kenya is participating in the championships for the fifth time, having previously competed in 2010, 2012, 2022, and 2023. To date, only Christine Ongare has achieved a non-walkover victory for Kenya in this global event.
Tournament regulations state that only boxers winning at least one bout—whether in the ring or via walkover—are eligible for prize money, with an additional age requirement of under 41 years. Kenya’s delegation in Serbia includes leader of delegation David Muhuhe, coach Musa Benjamin, and team manager Gathoni Kinyua. The championships conclude on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
In summary, Kenya’s performance at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships has been disappointing, with multiple early eliminations of its boxers. With only Liz Andiego remaining in the competition, her upcoming match will be critical for Kenya’s hopes for continued participation and potential prize earnings. The competition showcases the formidable challenges faced by Kenyan athletes on the global stage.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
