Serugo lives to AAG prediction
Sep 12, 2011
BOXER Ronald Serugo lived to my prediction by winning an All African Games medal. The light flyweight on Wednesday became the first Ugandan to make it to the medal podium in Maputo when he got bronze.
By James Bakama
BOXER Ronald Serugo lived to my prediction by winning an All African Games medal. The light flyweight on Wednesday became the first Ugandan to make it to the medal podium in Maputo when he got bronze.
Like any true patriot, I would have loved to see Serugo win gold. But after three tense rounds, I was one of those saluting this small bodied fighter from Kibuli.
Thomas Essomba, the man who beat Serugo, is currently one of the world’s best fighters at 48 kilograms. With a solid record of three appearances at these games, the Cameroonian was always going to give any top class fighter a hard time.
Those who had undermined Serugo’s 10-8 defeat were awoken to the hard reality when Essomba beat Algeria’s Flissi Mohamed 16-8 in the final. In short, Serugo was the only fighter who managed to move toe-to-toe with the West African.
I was impressed when Serugo assured me on Friday that he was not about to rest on his laurels. He is now sharpening up for the World Championships due in Azerbaijan.
This competition will be boxing’s first qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics. Serugo is well aware that if Maputo was tough, Baku will be even more trying. He has to be at his best if he is to stand to the challenge presented by the world’s cream.
If you asked me what Serugo’s chances will be in Baku, I’ll tell you that they are bright. You’ve certainly not forgotten that at the last world championship in Milan, Italy, the same fighter travelled alone but went on to make his presence felt.
Serugo will this time not be relying on sympathizers as his corner men. He will have fellow Ugandan boxers and a coach to guide him. Don’t therefore be surprised if he makes the London cut in Baku.
Back to Maputo, like I predicted, also expect a medal in athletics, table tennis and badminton. But that might not be all, I happened to attend a netball match and was surprised by the ease with which our team was discarding its opponents.
The She Cranes beat Zambia 61-3 then whipped hosts Mozambique 103-8 before outwitting Botswana 43-31.
If you’ve been closely following netball you should agree with me that these results are no accident. Our clubs and national team have for long dominated the east and central Africa region.
Our biggest opposition should be from South Africa. But the fact that even South Africa might not be at full strength because some its players are in a World Cup elsewhere, could also play in our favour.
Don’t therefore be surprised if Uganda wins its first continental medal this week.
BOXER Ronald Serugo lived to my prediction by winning an All African Games medal. The light flyweight on Wednesday became the first Ugandan to make it to the medal podium in Maputo when he got bronze.
Like any true patriot, I would have loved to see Serugo win gold. But after three tense rounds, I was one of those saluting this small bodied fighter from Kibuli.
Thomas Essomba, the man who beat Serugo, is currently one of the world’s best fighters at 48 kilograms. With a solid record of three appearances at these games, the Cameroonian was always going to give any top class fighter a hard time.
Those who had undermined Serugo’s 10-8 defeat were awoken to the hard reality when Essomba beat Algeria’s Flissi Mohamed 16-8 in the final. In short, Serugo was the only fighter who managed to move toe-to-toe with the West African.
I was impressed when Serugo assured me on Friday that he was not about to rest on his laurels. He is now sharpening up for the World Championships due in Azerbaijan.
This competition will be boxing’s first qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics. Serugo is well aware that if Maputo was tough, Baku will be even more trying. He has to be at his best if he is to stand to the challenge presented by the world’s cream.
If you asked me what Serugo’s chances will be in Baku, I’ll tell you that they are bright. You’ve certainly not forgotten that at the last world championship in Milan, Italy, the same fighter travelled alone but went on to make his presence felt.
Serugo will this time not be relying on sympathizers as his corner men. He will have fellow Ugandan boxers and a coach to guide him. Don’t therefore be surprised if he makes the London cut in Baku.
Back to Maputo, like I predicted, also expect a medal in athletics, table tennis and badminton. But that might not be all, I happened to attend a netball match and was surprised by the ease with which our team was discarding its opponents.
The She Cranes beat Zambia 61-3 then whipped hosts Mozambique 103-8 before outwitting Botswana 43-31.
If you’ve been closely following netball you should agree with me that these results are no accident. Our clubs and national team have for long dominated the east and central Africa region.
Our biggest opposition should be from South Africa. But the fact that even South Africa might not be at full strength because some its players are in a World Cup elsewhere, could also play in our favour.
Don’t therefore be surprised if Uganda wins its first continental medal this week.