The history of boxing dates back to 3000 BC in ancient Egypt when opponents fought till one was knocked out or conceded. The Greeks introduced the sport to the Ancient Olympics with opponents’ gear being leather straps fitted all around their fists and forearms for protection. In time the leather straps advanced and were fitted with iron plates but the outcome was almost always fatal in most competitions and in time the sport was dropped from the Games.
In 1880 amateur boxing was launched in England. Contestants were categorized into their classes based on their weights – bantam, feather, light, middle and heavy. Boxing gloves were introduced and in 1904 boxing became a part of the Modern Olympics.
Kenya’s upscale in boxing was initiated by Philip Waruinge, a young man from Nakuru. Philip enjoyed football most and was a star in his high school team at St. Theresa Secondary School where many believed his career was destined to be on the pitch.
However, Philip’s swiftness was as much in his hands as it was in his feet. In 1960, former military officer Maxie McCullough was visiting Kenyan high schools scouting for boxing talent and Philip was among the students Maxie handpicked to introduce to the sport. As a high school student Philip was not in a position to say no once selected by his Headteacher to join the team and with that, resolved to learn all he could about his new sport. He excelled and in 1962 was on a team of boxers attending the first All African Championships in Cairo. While he didn’t win a medal with the tough opposition he found, he gained experience that would challenge him to do better in the years that followed.
The following year Philip was in another boxing ring – at the Kenya Open Championships, where he emerged national champion in the flyweight category. By 1965, Philip had risen to the ranks of a boxing great in Kenya and when he competed in the All Africa Games in Brazzaville, he returned with a gold medal – Kenya’s first in boxing. In 1966 he maintained his position during the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston once again bringing home a Gold and raising the Kenya flag!
Philip finally showed his weight on the world stage at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics when he won a bronze medal gaining global recognition in the world of boxing.
We celebrate Kenyan flag bearer and sports hero Philip Waruinge for his tenacious skill in the boxing ring and for taking a path chosen for him and making it his own.
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