By Eniola Olatunji, reporting for Patmos Media Line
ANOTHER OF the Konyegwachi brothers, Anthony is leading Nigerian Boxers to the 4th Africa Youth Games holding in Angola for pugilists between ages 14 to 17.
Anthony’s senior brother, legendary Peter (MON) who hails from Ogwashi-Uku turned 60 this year was a Featherweight boxer at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics where he bagged the Silver in that category losing to Meldrick Taylor of USA in the finals. Peter was a Commonwealth Gold medalist in that category at the Brisbane Games.
His little Brother, Anthony born 10th May 1970 now 55 years old was 18 years old when he fought also in the Featherweight category at the 1988 Summer Olympics but lost in the first round to Daniel Dumitrescu of Romania 0-5. Daniel according to records beat Lee Jae-Hyuk of Korea 5-0 in the semifinals before bowing to Giovanni Parisi of Italy in the finals.
Anthony is already in Luanda, Angola with two male boxers, Abijuwon Faruk (50 Kg) and Solomon Joshua (70kg) along with the only female boxer Mayowa Ayomide who will box in the 48kg class.
The contingent of the Boxing team to the games includes the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBBF), Mrs. Vivian Azimene.
The Angola Games is a prelude qualifier for the 2026 Youth Olympics Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The Boxing events start on Monday 15th December but the Games proper will officially end on Saturday 20th of December.
Director of Communications-Nigeria Boxing Federation, Mathew Okugbe filed a report on activities before their departure. Said he:
The NBF vice President Hon.Omonlei Imadu, who visited the boxers in camp in Abuja a few days before they departed for Angola praise the NSC for their support as he assures that the best talents has been selected to represent the country.
“First, I wish to commend the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their support, they saw the need for these young boxers to be exposed beyond borderlines, and this experience will further strengthen their techniques and orientation beyond the ring”.
Imadu further expressed confidence in the boxers to secure the Youth Olympics Games tickets in their respective weight categories.
“I know these boxers we have selected; they are some of the best the country can boast of at this time, Coach Anthony Konyegwachie, has also done a great job in putting them in shape ahead of the event” so, we are very hopeful of a successful outing in Angola”. Imadu added.
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