A GOLDEN TARGET: Rayton Okwiri sets eyes on boxing gold as judoka start Games medal chase today

Rayton Okwiri during his Commonwealth Games training at Safaricom Kasarani Gymnasium early this month. [PHOTO: DENNIS OKEYO]

Rayton Okwiri, the Africa welterweight champion, has vowed to win gold medal when he gets into the ring at the Commonwealth Games boxing showdown that start at the Exhibition Centre in Eastern Glasgow here on tomorrow.
The 28-year-old is keen to curve a niche in the under 69kg category, taking on 31 boxers from 31 countries.
It’s the largest participation in the boxing programme and will run from tomorrow to the final day on August 2.
Fresh from winning the Lions International Cup in Sri Lanka last May, Okwiri longs to take on boxers here, including UK’s Fred Evans, the 2012 London Olympics silver medallist in the category.
“He beat me at the World Championships in Ikazakhstan, Sri Lanka, to qualify for the quarter finals, but I know how I will handle him here,” The said Okwiri. In Sri Lanka, he triumphed over boxers from 12 countries to set date with a Belgian in a thrilling final.

“I have enough experience and preparations have been okay. I am in good form now after good performance this season. I just do a little of spurring with boxers of less weight,” he said.

Okwiri, who lost to homeboy Brown Aston in India in 12-4, will lead the Kenyan line up that comprises nine men and two women tomorrow.

“I now the mistakes I made that time. Will tactically tackle him well here,” said Okwiri.

The eleven boxers include Nickson Otieno, Alumasa Matayo, Simon Mulinge, Elly Ajowi, Charles Odhiambo, Elizabeth Adhiambo, Christine Ongare, Dennis Okoth and Nicholas Okoth.

Okoth lost in the second round to Sri Lanka’s Waninchi in 8-4 while Benson Njagiru bagged silver in 52kg featherweight category.

The team, populartly known as the ‘Hit Squad’ for their past brilliant shows, however, had low morale back home over allowances and complained that the Government had not cleared unpaid allowances from three past international competitions.

The boxers told FeverPitch how they have not been paid their dues for 2013 Africa Championships held in Mauritius and the 2013 World Championships in Ikazakhstan, Sri Lanka.

Eight boxers represented the country in Mauritius where Rayton Okwiri (welterweight), Nick Abaka (middleweight), Benson Gicharu (bantam weight) and Simon Mulinge (featherweight) got gold medals in their respective weights.

Others were Elly Ajowi (light heavy - silver) John Kariuki (lightweight), Aziz Ali (heavy weight) and Dennis Okoth (lightweigt).

The five were also in the world championships team of eight which also had Peter Mungai (light flyweight) and Daniel Shisia (heavy weight).

Meanwhile, Kenyan judoka will begin the hunt for medals at the Exhibition Centre in Central Glasgow here at midday today.

The Kenya Defence Forces Alice Chebet and Esther Akinyi will lead the women’s front in the modern martial art sport in which physical strength and tactical positioning are key to success.

Diana Rebah Kano and Dorine Wanyangu will be in the reserves in the highly physical contest driven by strong ethical code and guiding philosophy.

But the men’s line-up, who are largely from the General Service Unit, need to be at their best to re-affirm the GSU Swahili spirit: ‘Fanya Fujo Uone’ losely translated as (riot and face the consequences).

Corporal Anthony Njagi of GSU, Evans Ouko Kengara (GSU), John Muthee Kirimi, Joshuah Omondi, Levy Kipsang Sang, James Mashobo and Isaac Mbugua Kinyanjui will raise the adrenaline in men’s action.

Kenya did not present judo team at the last Games in New Delhi and are here eagerly for the medals.

The squad, which comprises the 13 judoka including three reserves, will line up at the Exhibition Centre.