Pugilist wins despite tooth injury
Feb 16, 2007
NOT even loss of a tooth could deter Joseph Kalungi from punching his way to a win at the National Open yesterday. In a rare show of determination Kalungi of Namuwongo boxing club fought on after a Henry Balintumye (COBAP) right dislodged one of his incisors.
By James Bakama
and Samson Opus
NOT even loss of a tooth could deter Joseph Kalungi from punching his way to a win at the National Open yesterday. In a rare show of determination Kalungi of Namuwongo boxing club fought on after a Henry Balintumye (COBAP) dislodged one of his incisors.
The tooth flew out of the ring without any of the fighters realising and was only discovered by equipment officer Juan Duku.
“I saw a strange thing on the floor. On close scrutiny, I discovered it was a tooth,†said Duku long before a celebrating Kalungi reported his injury to the medical table.
But Kalungi, 28, also blamed an uncomfortable gum shield which he said aided the injury.
You would have expected Kalungi to be wary of his next opponent, but he was instead more inspired. “The title is mine. I am very fit.†he promised.
In today’s programme, Isaac “Zebra†Senyange, captain of champions Lukanga, has promised to take KCC’s Richard Kitaka to school in their heavyweight semi-final fight.
“Let everyone be at Lugogo today because there will be some serious classes taking place.â€
Meanwhile, after a week of blood and sweat in the ring, the boxers will be rewarded with two bulls to feast on at Lugogo on Saturday — the eve of the Open final.
Education and sports state minister Charles Bakkabulindi offered one of the bulls while the other is from local boxing boss Roger Ddungu.
“I want everyone to feast. The boxers and the officials must be rewarded for their efforts,†said Ddungu.
The fete will be a good reward for the boxers and officials who have been staying late into the night since Monday.
It will be followed by another offer of lunch from Uhuru Restaurant for the officials and finalists on Sunday.
Other offers include a motorcycle for the winning team while weight champions will pocket sh0.2m and runners-up sh0.1m courtesy of boxing boss Ddungu’s Rio Insurance company.
and Samson Opus
NOT even loss of a tooth could deter Joseph Kalungi from punching his way to a win at the National Open yesterday. In a rare show of determination Kalungi of Namuwongo boxing club fought on after a Henry Balintumye (COBAP) dislodged one of his incisors.
The tooth flew out of the ring without any of the fighters realising and was only discovered by equipment officer Juan Duku.
“I saw a strange thing on the floor. On close scrutiny, I discovered it was a tooth,†said Duku long before a celebrating Kalungi reported his injury to the medical table.
But Kalungi, 28, also blamed an uncomfortable gum shield which he said aided the injury.
You would have expected Kalungi to be wary of his next opponent, but he was instead more inspired. “The title is mine. I am very fit.†he promised.
In today’s programme, Isaac “Zebra†Senyange, captain of champions Lukanga, has promised to take KCC’s Richard Kitaka to school in their heavyweight semi-final fight.
“Let everyone be at Lugogo today because there will be some serious classes taking place.â€
Meanwhile, after a week of blood and sweat in the ring, the boxers will be rewarded with two bulls to feast on at Lugogo on Saturday — the eve of the Open final.
Education and sports state minister Charles Bakkabulindi offered one of the bulls while the other is from local boxing boss Roger Ddungu.
“I want everyone to feast. The boxers and the officials must be rewarded for their efforts,†said Ddungu.
The fete will be a good reward for the boxers and officials who have been staying late into the night since Monday.
It will be followed by another offer of lunch from Uhuru Restaurant for the officials and finalists on Sunday.
Other offers include a motorcycle for the winning team while weight champions will pocket sh0.2m and runners-up sh0.1m courtesy of boxing boss Ddungu’s Rio Insurance company.