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.