It’s a bold move that took everyone by surprise.
Kenya’s technical bench overlooked three experienced boxers and settled on bantamweight Emmanuel Odhiambo to fight in the inaugural World Boxing Elite African Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre Indoor Arena.
The 24-year-old Odhiambo surprised many on his debut with the famous Hit Squad reaching the semi-final to earn a bronze medal.
The Hit Squad technical bench, headed by Benjamin Musa, picked Odhiambo, a Githurai 44 Boxing Club member, ahead of veterans like Shaffi Bakari, who has won continental medals in different weight categories, Dennis Muthama, and Chris Musyoki.
Odhiambo returned the faith shown in him in style. He defeated Angola's Noël Luemba 4-1 in their first round men's bantamweight (50-55 kg) contest before crushing Sudan’s Zienalabden Ismail 5-0 in the second round on Monday to qualify for the semi-finals
Odhiambo’s brave run ended on Tuesday when he fell to experienced Ugandan Samuel Nsumbuga 5-0, a cut above the right eye early in the bout, slowing the Kenyan down.
The Ugandan will now face Valentin Ntabanganyimana of Rwanda in the final tomorrow after the Rwandan outclassed Mohamed Mohamed Mjombo of Tanzania in the other semi-final.
“This was a good experience, and, in fact, it has lit up the fire in me to aim higher,” said Odhiambo, who started boxing in 2020 while in Form Four.
“Githurai Boxing Club held a tournament in school and that is how I got involved in boxing. I now have a dream of reaching the highest level in boxing. I think making it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games is a good idea,” said Odhiambo.
“The cut might have slowed me down but it’s a defeat I accept gracefully with no excuses. Winning a medal on debut at this level is a good thing,” said Odhiambo, a boda boda rider in Githurai.
Kenya Emmanuel Odhiambo (Blue) charge against Sudan Zienaladen Ismael in Bantamweight (50-55kg) bout during African Boxing Elite Men and Women championship on 19th October 2026 at Moi International sports centre,Kasarani indoor Arena.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
“Odhiambo boxed well and should stand with his chin high because he lost to a better boxer,” said Musa.
The Hit Squad coach said Odhiambo has the potential to make it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“He is fearless and relentless. He is swift on the ring with a good choice of punches,” Musa praised his new choice.
“He needs to ‘cut the ring’. This is by narrowing his distance with the opponent from different angles with speed and up close instead of retreating before launching his attack. He must now allow his opponents to think and counter,” said Musa.
Odhiambo, who trains under experienced coach Julius Theuri at Githurai 44, picked up boxing while a student at River Jordan Academy Secondary School, Githurai.
He qualified for the Kenya Open in 2025 after winning three out of the five legs he participated in in Nairobi. Odhiambo would take the 2025 Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) National League by storm, stunning Shaffi Bakari in the semi-final of the Mombasa leg before losing to Muthama in the final.
Kenya’s Emmanuel Odhiambo (blue) lands a solid left jab on Sudan’s Zienalabden Ismael during their World Boxing African Elite Championships men’s bantamweight (50-55kg) bout at Moi International Sports Centre, Indoor Arena on Monday, October 19.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
Odhiamba and Muthama had a rematch in the finals in Kisumu and Nakuru, with the latter prevailing.
Odhiambo gained apt revenge on Bakairi in the semi-finals of the opening leg of this year’s National league in Kisumu to illustrate his progress.
On Tuesday, Kenyan’s placed four boxers in the final, light flyweight Alice Atieno, light heavyweight Elizabeth Akinyi, heavyweight Juliet Akinyi, and super heavyweight Clinton Macharia.
Macharia used his tactical prowess to edge out stubborn Uganda's Tabule Emmanuel in a tense semi-final bout, 3-2.
Destructive Akinyi forced the referee to stop her contest against Tanzania’s Hidaya Lavia Zahoro while Juliet advanced straight to the final, where she is up against experienced 2023 African Games gold medalist Patricia Mbata of Nigeria.
Seven more Kenyan boxers were due to take the ring for their respective semi-finals last evening, including Africa light middleweight champion, Boniface Mogunde and African Games middleweight champion Edwin Okongo.
