Boxers bag three medals in Mauritius

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Correspondent | Wednesday July 29, 2009 00:00

Oteng (51kg) lost 5-4 to a Moroccan opponent in a closely -contested semi-final while Mogajane (48kg) was beaten 13-6 by a Cameroonian boxer. Nogeng (57kg) easily beat a Guinean opponent 17-7 in the semi-final to proceed to the finals where he was shocked by 18-year-old Mauritian John Colin 7-4 on Saturday.

The teenager had one of his best fights of the tournament against Nogeng. He was motivated by the home fans who rallied behind him after other local boxers performed dismally. He did not disappoint as he trounced experienced Nogeng to clinch gold in the 57kg category.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) has expressed satisfaction with the team's performance.

The only boxer in Mauritius who did not get a medal was Jonas Moeti who lost in the first round.

BoBA public relations officer, Modibedi Modibedi said the team's performance was satisfactory and singled out young Oteng, who was competing in his second international competition.

The 19-year-old won gold at the Zone VI Championships in Lesotho early this year.

'Judging by their recent performance, I think the team did well. Oteng and Mogajane brought gold from the Zone VI. Bringing more medals from a much tougher competition shows the team is progressing,' Modibedi said. He stated that the boxers will remain in camp in preparation for the upcoming World Championships in Milan, Italy from September 1-12.

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has invited the Botswana team to attend a two-week training camp before the championships. The team arrived from Mauritius yesterday afternoon.