Kenya’s challenges at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships deepen as Pauline Chege and Lencer Akinyi are eliminated in the Round of 16. With only Liz Andiego left, Kenya’s hopes rely on her upcoming quarterfinal bout. The overall prize pool is $2.88 million, and the competition ends on March 16, 2025.
Kenya continues to face challenges at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Serbia, as Pauline Chege and Lencer Akinyi have both been eliminated in the Round of 16. With only Liz Andiego remaining in the competition, Kenya’s prospects now hinge on her upcoming quarterfinal match.
On day four of the championships, both fighters were defeated through referee stoppages. Chege faced Mijgona Samadova, a 26-year-old bronze medalist from the 2022 Asian Games, losing when the referee halted the match in the second round after Samadova dominated the initial round. Similarly, Akinyi, in her World Championship debut, succumbed to Dragana Jovanovic after just 102 seconds in the first round.
Both Chege and Akinyi had reached the Round of 16 through walkovers, allowing them to bypass earlier rounds. Their recent eliminations add to a troubling trend for Kenya, whose squad has seen the exits of several athletes, including Amina Martha Faki and Cynthia Mwai, among others.
With seven out of eight competitors eliminated, team captain Liz Andiego is now the sole remaining contender. In her fifth World Championship appearance, she has advanced to the light-heavyweight quarterfinals after receiving a bye and is set to compete against China’s Wang Xiaomeng.
Should Andiego secure victory, she is guaranteed a minimum of $25,000 in prize money. The competition’s overall prize pool totals $2.88 million, with gold, silver, and semi-finalists each receiving substantial financial rewards.
Kenya is participating in its fifth championship, with previous entries in 2010, 2012, 2022, and 2023. Notably, Christine Ongare remains the only Kenyan boxer to have achieved a victory at this global event, having done so in 2023. Prize money is available only for boxers who win at least one bout.
The ongoing participation of the Kenyan boxing team at the 2025 IBA Women’s World Championships highlights significant challenges, with notable eliminations leading to diminished hopes for medals. As Liz Andiego stands as the last remaining competitor, her upcoming bout will determine the extent of Kenya’s success in this championship. The financial stakes and the historical context of previous participations add depth to the significance of these matches for the Kenyan team.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
