Okwiri sets sights on Olympic gold after victory in Rio
Kenya's Rayton Nduku Okwiri (left) fights Russia's Andrei Zamkovoi during the Men's Welter (69kg) boxing match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Riocentro - Pavilion 6 in Rio de Janeiro on August 7, 2016. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- Okwiri said the level of competition is tough and he will not underrate his next opponent.
- Okwiri’s next opponent will be Mohammed Rabii of Morocco who got a bye into the round of 16.
- Kenya’s prospects in swimming ended prematurely on Sunday after the two swimmers in the team failed to proceed beyond their respective heats.
- The women’s rugby sevens remains winless in the Olympics after falling 19-10 to Spain and 24-0 Japan.
IN RIO DE JANEIRO
After overcoming his first opponent in a round 32 bout on Sunday evening, Rayton Okwiri is already dreaming of becoming only the second boxer to win a gold medal for Kenya at the Olympic Games.
Two of the three ringside judges scored in favour of Okwiri against Russian opponent, Andrei Zamkovoi in the fight staged at Riocentro Pavilion 6.
Okwiri, who outscored Zamkovoi 2-1 (29-28, 29-28 and 28-29), said victory has lifted his confidence to go all the way to the final.
However, Okwiri said the level of competition is tough and he will not underrate his next opponent.
“Everyone who is here has earned his place but victory has given me a lot of confidence ahead of the next fight. I also know that my next opponent will come into the match knowing that he´s up against a strong fighter,” Okwiri said in an interview the Daily Nation after the fight.
Okwiri’s next opponent will be Mohammed Rabii of Morocco who got a bye into the round of 16.
“I’ve watched him on YouTube and I don’t think he is as tough as my first opponent. I think he is someone I can beat,” Okwiri said of his the Moroccan whom he will face on Thursday evening at 6:30pm.
SWIMMERS FAILED TO SHINE
“I believe every boxer in my category wants to win at least a medal. My dream is to win a gold medal for Kenya,” he added.
With Okwiri through to the next round, light flyweight, Peter Mungai, was due to fight China’s LV Bin in a round of 16 bout on Monday) from 5:15pm at Riocentro Pavilion 6.
Benson Gicharu, will meanwhile meet Tsendbaatar Erdenebat of Mongolia on Wednesday night in a bantamweight fight at the same venue.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s prospects in swimming ended prematurely on Sunday after the two swimmers in the team failed to proceed beyond their respective heats.
Women’s national record holder in backstroke, Talisa Lanoe (1:10.02), finished last in heat two of the event while in the men’s event, Hamdan Bayusuf, clocked 1:00.28 for a sixth place finish among the seven starters in his heat.
At the same the women’s rugby sevens remains winless in the Olympics after falling 19-10 to Spain and 24-0 Japan.
On Saturday, the Kenyan women lost 56-0 to New Zealand and 38-7 to France for what is turning out to be a steep learning curve for the team.
