)
Achieng lost her first-ever match to compatriot Bena Kaloki in 2008 and she noted that the loss is what drove her to become more passionate about the sport.
Commonwealth super lightweight champion Sarah Achieng has revealed that a random slap from a strange man really propelled her to be intentional about pursuing a career in boxing.
Achieng, a mother of one, revealed on that fateful day, she was coming from jogging around the Buruburu area in Nairobi before the man just slapped her and she did not know the motive behind the slap.
)
18:30 - 13.04.2023
BOXING Sarah Achieng set to face Edith Matthysse in title fight
The 10-round World Boxing Foundation (WBF) super lightweight women's world title fight will be held in Mombasa.
She revealed that the incident was an eye-opener for her and she thought to herself to try and learn some skills in self-defense.
“I always had a passion for sports but I thought boxing was too tough for me. I tried the gym for some time but I wasn’t that serious. However, one time as I was jogging home from the gym, a man just slapped me and I didn’t know his motive.
That’s when I realised that if I had skills in boxing, I would have defended myself. That is when I started training hard to become a champion and also know how to protect myself. I must admit the slap is what got me to where I am today in matters of boxing,” Achieng told KTN.
Achieng lost her first-ever match to compatriot Bena Kaloki in 2008 and she noted that the loss is what drove her to become more passionate about the sport.
The 35-year-old said that despite the loss, she was paid and that’s when she knew she could make a living out of boxing.
“When I lost my first match and I was paid, I knew I could earn a living from boxing and that’s when I decided to take it to the next level,” she added.
)
08:45 - 21.05.2023
BOXING Wanyonyi on why a win over Mandonga is crucial to the trajectory of his career going forward
Wanyonyi explained that his loss to the Tanzanian boxing sensation on January 15 derailed his progress.
She said her most memorable moments in her career are winning the Universal Boxing Organisation lightweight title in 2015 in Russia and her 2018 Super lightweight win in South Africa.
She revealed that she has faced stereotypes in her career since boxing is a male-dominated sport but her passion in the sport has not been affected.
“I’m still a lady and I have that femininity in me. I am married and I have a daughter. Boxing is a male-dominated sport but since I have the passion and it has taken me places…I won’t back down,” Achieng said.
When she is not in the ring, Achieng goes out to train young girls in schools. She works with a project, Mrembo Advocates, where they teach girl’s advocacy, education and girls being retained in schools.
They go to different areas of the country to educate parents and the whole community on the initiative. She revealed that they currently have 2000 girls who are set to benefit from the project.
)
06:54 - 20.05.2023
BOXING Mandonga sends stark warning to Wanyonyi ahead of rematch
'Mtu Kazi' has promised to floor the Kenyan once more during the rematch that will occur at Sarit Expo Centre on July 22 in Nairobi
“If you come from a marginalized community, you are free to join. It is open to girls from the age of eight years to 23,” she added.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)