National boxing team takes shape

BOXING   BOMBERS

Uganda will be represented by 13 boxers at the Africa Olympics Boxing Qualifiers that will take place in Dakar, Senegal next month following qualifiers that ended at Lugogo on Sunday.

In Dakar, the Bombers will battle boxers from other African countries in pursuit of slots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due in August.

David Ssemujju's middleweight bout against Yusuf Nkobeza which ended in favour of Ssemujju was the highlight of the day as fans took sides to cheer them on.

Experienced Ssemujju was given a run for his money and had to dig in to retain his slot on the national team as promising Nkobeza took him all the way to the third round.

Nkobeza's punching skills attracted wild screams from the fans that filled the Arena in the first and second rounds.

However, Ssemujju employed his experience in the third round and eventually won by a split points decision which sparked wild cheers from his fans.

Rebecca Amongin in red lands a punch on Erinah Namutebi during the Olympics trials at Lugogo. Amongin qualified for the national team.

After the hard-fought Victory, Ssemujju told New Vision that good game reading and experience helped him overcome his opponent.

"I admit my opponent was not like the ones I have faced previously. He was good at dodging my punches. But after the two rounds I studied him given my vast experience and eventually overcame him," Ssemujju said

About the Olympics, he vowed to fight all the way to Japan and bring a gold medal for Uganda.

"I am full of confidence that I can eliminate everyone in the African qualifiers. I will go to Tokyo and bring gold for my country," he added.

National team captain Shadir Musa Bwogi also lived to his expectations and eliminated Stanley Mugerwa in the Welter Weight category as he had promised before the final fight.

Isaac Masembe, a bronze medalist in the 2019 All Africa Games found it easy,  eliminating Jonah Kyobe.

Sweden-based Alex Bwambale also made it to the team after he eliminated experienced Emmanuel Kyambadde in the super Heavyweight.

Veteran Nalongo Hellen Baleke was shocked by Doreen Nassali after the young star's strong punches proved heavy for her to contain.

By Splint points decision Nassali was declared the winner of the women's middleweight category.

The event was graced by Uganda Boxing federation president Moses Muhangi, Kasambya County (Mubende) member of Parliament Mbwatekamwa Gaffa, Head of Women boxing in Uganda Boxing federation Sarah Kabwama, professional boxer Shafik Kiwanuka among other dignitaries.

Shadir Musa ( in blue) takes on Stanely Mugerwa in the Welterweight

Confirmed Bombers team

Men

Disan Mubiru (Fly Weight)

Isaac Masembe (Feather Weight)

Yasin Adinan (Light weight)

Shadir Musa (Welter Weight)

David Ssemujju (Middle weight)

Joshua Male (Light Heavy weight)

Alex Bwambale (Heavy weight)

Solomon Geko (Super Heavy)

Women

Catherine Nanziri (Fly Weight)

Susan Akello (Feather Weight)

Rebecca Amongin (Light weight)

Emily Nakalema (Welter Weight)

Doreen Nassali (Middle weight)

 

Results

Men

D. Mubiru bt M. Lwanga (pts)

I. Masembe bt J. Kyobe (pts)

Y. Adinan bt J. Tukamuhebwa (pts)

S. Musa bt S. Mugerwa (pts)

D. Ssemujju bt Y.Nkobeza (pts)

J. Make bt I. Mukiibi (RSC)

A. Bwambale bt E. Kyambadde (pts)

S. Geko bt A. Muhumuza (pts)

Women

C. Nanziri bt T. Nakimuli (pts)

S. Akello bt J. Nali (pts)

R. Amongini bt S.Laker (pts)

E. Nakalema bt L. Nantale (pts)

D. Nassali bt H. Baleke (pts)