Kenyan boxer missing for two months after vanishing following Olympic qualifiers in Italy

©ABA

Kenyan boxer missing for two months after vanishing following Olympic qualifiers in Italy

Festus Chuma 14:54 - 04.05.2024

Kenyan boxer David Karanja remains missing in Italy two months after losing at the Flyweight World Olympic qualifiers.

Kenyan flyweight boxer David Karanja is still missing nearly two months after he vanished following a disappointing defeat at the World Olympic qualifiers in Italy. 

The event, which drew competitors from across the globe, concluded on Monday 11 March but Karanja has not been seen since.

The young boxer, a former Africa Zone 3 Championships medalist with bronze, silver, and gold medals won in 2022, reportedly disappeared after a unanimous decision loss to Kazakhstan's Kanneth Bibossinoy.

This setback was a harsh blow for Karanja who has been struggling to find his rhythm on the international stage despite his national acclaim.

Sources close to the boxer suggest that Karanja, disillusioned with his recent performances and overwhelmed by the pressures of his sport may be seeking to start anew in Italy. 

His visa remains valid, adding to the speculation that he has chosen to remain in the country. 

Efforts to trace his whereabouts have been fruitless, with the Boxing Federation of Kenya and the Italian Embassy in Nairobi unable to provide concrete answers.

"I did not travel with the team, so I cannot confirm whether he came back or not," Duncan Kuria, Public Relations Officer for the Boxing Federation of Kenya told Pulse Sports.

Karanja, born in Chinga, Nyeri County, is known for his dedication and passion for boxing. 

From a young age, he was inspired by the late Robert Wangila, a gold medalist at the Seoul Olympics and a national hero.

Despite his modest upbringing Karanja traveled extensively from his home in Ruai to train under renowned coaches Benjamin Musa and Alfred Priest Analo at the Eddy Papa Musi Boxing Club in Kariobangi.

Follow us on X (Twitter) for more updates.

Tags: