Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier Edwin Okong'o has been promoted after breaking a 17-year boxing record.
Corporal Edwin Okong’o of Wajir Air Base (WAB) was promoted to the rank of Sergeant by Commander Kenya Air Force (KAF), Major General John Omenda.
Okong'o was also awarded The Certificate of Commanders Commendation. This was after he won the country's eighth gold medal during the All African Games in Ghana.
Okong'o defeated Algerian Yassin Elouarz in the middleweight 75kgs category final in a boxing match. The win was historical as he broke a 17-year jinx.
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"This is after an outstanding performance at the 13th All African Games held in Ghana, that saw him become the first boxer from East and Central Africa to win a gold medal in the sport in 17 years," KDF wrote.
The feat was historical because the last Kenyan to win gold at the All-Africa Games was Suleiman Bilali in Algiers, Algeria. Bilali won the African title in 2017. His record remained intact until Okong'o entered the fighting ring in Ghana where he wrote a new history.
Speaking during the event, the Commander KAF congratulated Sgt Okong’o on his great performance noting the impressive nature of this fete.
“Well-done and congratulations for the good work put out there. It’s of great joy that your winning has come during the on-going promotion and for that let this rank be a motivation and morale to you so you can keep winning” He added.
Further, Base Commander WAB, Brigadier Stephen Sane urged the champion to aim for more international boxing matches and encouraged him to keep flying the KAF flag high.
