Kenyan boxers ready turn around stakes at Commonwealth Games

NAIROBI, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan boxers are expected to turn around their fortunes at the Commonwealth Games and bring home more than five golds during this year's event to be held in Gold Coast, Australia in April.

Boxing alongside athletics have been Kenya's only golden goose in international competition. However, in the last three Commonwealth Games, Kenya has displayed dismal performances.

In Glasgow, Scotland in 2014, Kenya could only get one bronze medal from 12 boxers while in New Delhi (2010) and Melbourne (2006) the country had three bronze medal. Kenya's last gold medal in boxing at the Club Games was in 1994.

Now Olympian Nick Okoth and Benson Gicharu believe they have enough experience and tactics to wrest their way through the rounds to secure gold in Gold Coast, where the games will be held in April 4-15.

"We have a stronger team and better management. The officials in charge of boxing have put up strong structures and the fruits of their hard work will start being seen in Gold Coast," Okoth said on Sunday in Nairobi.

Indeed Okoth together with Gicharu, Edwin Okoth and Fredrick Ramogi were the first to secure their ticket to the Commonwealth Games after emerging successful in the Kenyan trials held in Nairobi on Saturday.

Boxing Association of Kenya (BAK) President John Kameta said he will release the final team on Wednesday after a meeting with the technical bench who are reviewing the trials performances.

"We will not have entries in all the 12 categories but have boxers in seven for men and possibly three for ladies. Kenya has been given 10 slots," said Kameta. Enditem