Team Kenya’s Ella Demesi bows out in Dakar 2026 boxing quarter finals

Team Kenya boxer Ella Demesi’s campaign at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games came to an end on Monday after she was defeated by Venezuela’s Grenyelis Garcia in the women’s 51kg quarter-finals. Demesi, who received a bye in the opening round, faced Garcia in her first bout of the competition.

The Venezuelan had already competed in the round of 16, where she secured a 5-0 victory over New Zealand’s Lea Newman, before advancing to the quarter-finals.

Despite the challenge of facing a taller and more experienced opponent, the Kenyan teenager gave a determined performance in her first appearance in the Olympic ring.

Team Kenya head coach David Munuhe said Demesi had done her best against a more experienced boxer, adding that the experience would be valuable as she continues developing her career.

“Ella gave her all. The opponent was taller and more experienced, but this is part of the learning process. She has gained a lot from this competition, and we believe she will use the experience to improve,” said Munuhe.

The coach described participation at the Youth Olympic Games as an important milestone for the young boxer, noting that reaching the Olympic stage was an achievement in itself.

Demesi’s appearance in Dakar marks her third outing with the national team. She previously represented Kenya at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, in 2025, before competing at the World Boxing U19 Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 2026.

The Bangkok competition also served as a qualification pathway to the Dakar Games. The 16-year-old made history by becoming the first Kenyan female boxer to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games.

Her journey in boxing began in 2024 at Kibra Youth Boxing Club. She initially accompanied her younger brother to the club, but soon developed an interest in the sport and began training herself. She is a Grade 10 student at Shadrack Kimalel School.

Munuhe said the experience gained in Dakar would provide motivation for Demesi and other young boxers as they prepare for future international competitions.

Although her campaign has ended, Demesi’s participation marks an important step for Kenyan women’s boxing, offering valuable exposure at a major international youth competition.