NAN-S-15
Boxing
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Feb. 20, 2017 (NAN) The National boxing coach, Anthony Konyegwachi, says the ongoing national open boxing championships is aimed at identifying potential boxers for the World Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championships holding at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gymnasium, National Stadium, Lagos, is organised and sponsored by the Nigeria Boxing Federation.
The championships, which started on Monday with the screening of boxers, classification and medical fitness of participants, will end on Feb. 25.
Konyegwachi told NAN on Monday in Lagos that no fewer than 150 boxers, including males and females were expected to fight in the 10 weight categories for male and three for females.
“The competition is declared open to give boxers across the country the opportunity to show evidence of their skill as they compete favourably with contemporaries in same classes.
“Two major competitions are on the pipeline between July and August and it’s through such open championships that we can single out prospective boxers for the international competitions.
“So, those who perform credibly well in their weight classes will have the opportunity to be invited for national trials to pick slots for the tournaments,’’ the coach said.
He listed the male categories as 49kg (light flyweight), 52kg (flyweight), 56kg (bantam weight), 60kg (lightweight), 74kg (light welterweight), 69kg (welterweight), and 75kg (middleweight).
Others are 81kg (light heavyweight), 91kg (heavyweight) +91kg (Super heavyweight).
The female categories are 51kg (flyweight), 60kg (lightweight), and 75kg (middleweight).
The coach said that some upsets were expected in the competition because some debutants who have been consistent in training would grab the opportunity to dethrone existing champions, especially those who have gone to sleep.
Konyegwachi added that the bouts would begin at the end of the screening exercise by the technical and medical committee, and urged the boxers to conform to fighting rules.
“The boxers are expected to abide by fighting rules, obey judge’s instructions during contest, and must not bite their opponent as such can attract disqualification,’’ he said. (NAN)
MIL/AOS/PDE
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Peter Ejiofor)