When did your love for boxing begin?<\/strong><\/p>\n At 17, I met the late boxing coach, John Odongo. He had come to my high school to promote the sport. I tried it, and it was love at first punch.<\/p>\n Accolades?<\/strong><\/p>\n I hold three bronze medals: 2021 Africa Zone 3 Championship in Congo, 2020 Africa Olympic qualifiers in Dakar Senegal and the 2016 Africa Championship in Congo.<\/p>\n Tell us a little about your childhood?<\/strong><\/p>\n I was born and raised in Ngomongo (Korogocho Slums) in Nairobi. I come from a family of four. My mother has been my pillar.<\/p>\n I grew up in a humble background surrounded by many social challenges that I overcame through determination, hard work and self-discipline.<\/p>\n The most memorable thing about my childhood is the resilience of my mother, who single-handedly brought us up. She valued education, which made us what we are today.<\/p>\n My mother had no particular source of income, and we would miss classes sometimes for a month due to a lack of school fees.<\/p>\n Shelter was also a challenge, I remember one time the house agent removed the house roof because of rent arrears, and we had to spend the night in the rain and unforgiving cold.<\/p>\n That must have been hard, how did you manage and not let it discourage you?<\/strong><\/p>\n My mother was a superstar, she refused to be discouraged. No matter what we went through, she pushed on, believing something good was coming; eventually, we made it through the tough seasons.<\/p>\n \u00a0She was not the surrendering type, and while some single mothers in her situation would turn to prostitution, she instead tried all sorts of business, from selling fish to chang\u2019aa.<\/p>\n Watching her made me look up to better days. I believe that I am who I am today because of my tough childhood, and her strength.<\/p>\n What do you love most about the sport?<\/strong><\/p>\n Boxing is my passion, it makes me feel complete. It encourages self-reliance and helps me avoid unimportant company.<\/p>\n Working out can be cumbersome, and there is also the challenge of far off training facilities, with those that are readily available being ill-equipped, but this is who I am and what I love.<\/p>\n You had an accident that nearly ended your career, tell us about that?<\/strong><\/p>\n Towards the end of 2016, I was in an accident that involved a motorbike and a PSV that left me with a broken clavicle. I had surgery and had to stay home for almost two years.<\/p>\n Many thought that I would never make it back to the ring, but I refused to let my dream die. My son, Samuel, would constantly ask me when I was going back to the gym. I stayed positive and never thought of quitting.<\/p>\n Are you back to full-time boxing?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes, I am. I worked closely with the doctors and the physiotherapist until I was whole again and was given a clean bill of health.<\/p>\n I went back to the gym in 2018, and in 2019 I began taking part in major tournaments. I represented Kenya in the just-concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics.<\/p>\n I am warming up to the World Championships slated for March next year, as well as the Commonwealth Games also set for 2022.<\/p>\n What do you believe is your best and worst quality?<\/strong><\/p>\n I value growth and that means I am open to correction and learning. Once I set my mind on something, I remain focused.<\/p>\n My most annoying quality, which is also a strength would have to be the fact that I refuse to give up even when circumstances indicate otherwise. I keep going, and believing. No surrender here!<\/p>\n Any advice to anyone who feels like giving up on their dreams because it looks impossible?<\/strong><\/p>\n You bear the vision of your life, it is up to you to steer it, to be your own cheerleader. So, take up your position and refuse to give up.<\/p>\n How do you prepare for a fight?<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to diet, I generally eat anything, but when a tournament is near, I remove protein from my dinner. If I need to lose weight, I go low on carbohydrates.<\/p>\n I also exercise twice a day, alternating between roadwork and cardio. I am currently training for a tournament, which will also be for the selection of female boxers for the World Championships, and so I am putting my nutrition guidelines into practice.<\/p>\n When you are not working and need to relax, what is your favourite thing to do?<\/strong><\/p>\n I enjoy swimming and bonding with my son.<\/p>\n Where do you see yourself in the next five years?<\/strong><\/p>\n As an Olympic, All-Africa Games and Common Wealth gold medalist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Source: The Standard Media Kenya<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When did your love for boxing begin? At 17, I met the late boxing coach, John Odongo. He had come to my high school to promote the sport. I tried it, and it was love at first punch. Accolades? 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