The Boxing Duel between Kandeh & Ardi Da Sylva
Sierra Leone makes a poor return to the ongoing All African Games in Brazzaville, Congo as the country’s representatives in both boxing and karate suffered disgraceful defeats in their opening fights.
On Monday night, Sierra Leonean boxer Mohamed Kandeh was knocked-out by the host nation fighter Ndemo Ardi Da Sylva in the 91kg category at the boxing club in Talagai.
Sierra Leone makes a poor return to the ongoing All African Games in Brazzaville, Congo as the country’s representatives in both boxing and karate suffered disgraceful defeats in their opening fights.
On Monday night, Sierra Leonean boxer Mohamed Kandeh was knocked-out by the host nation fighter Ndemo Ardi Da Sylva in the 91kg category at the boxing club in Talagai.
Kandeh’s participation was doubtful earlier on as the Sierra Leone Boxing Association (SLBA) which owed the African federation a huge debt were not sure of their participation but for the timely intervention of the Sports ministry which stepped up to settle their financial arrears and therefore helped the boxer enter the ring.
However in a disappointing bout, the Sierra Leonean boxer was knocked-out within a minute after a heavy punch landed on his nose in the first round which forced the referee to automatically stopp the fight due to severe bleeding from Kandeh’s nose.
The boxing coach, Mohamed Lamin Turay attributed the shocking defeat to lack of focus and a lot of distractions.
“It was a shocking and disappointing defeat but that can be connected to the noise coming from the home supporters which distracted my fighter,” Coach Turay said.
The other disappointment of the day came from karate fighter, Abdulai Koroma who in less than three minutes suffered a defeat in the Kumite to his Botswana counterpart in the 60kg category.
Koroma was unable to register a single point against his Botswana opponent who went on to score nine points in the fight following his three side kicks to the face of the Sierra Leonean fighter.
Another Sierra Leone who suffered defeat was Simeon Dimoh who participated in the 67kg category, Dimoh lost to a Malian opponent by seven points to zero.
However in a disappointing bout, the Sierra Leonean boxer was knocked-out within a minute after a heavy punch landed on his nose in the first round which forced the referee to automatically stopp the fight due to severe bleeding from Kandeh’s nose.
The boxing coach, Mohamed Lamin Turay attributed the shocking defeat to lack of focus and a lot of distractions.
“It was a shocking and disappointing defeat but that can be connected to the noise coming from the home supporters which distracted my fighter,” Coach Turay said.
The other disappointment of the day came from karate fighter, Abdulai Koroma who in less than three minutes suffered a defeat in the Kumite to his Botswana counterpart in the 60kg category.
Koroma was unable to register a single point against his Botswana opponent who went on to score nine points in the fight following his three side kicks to the face of the Sierra Leonean fighter.
Another Sierra Leone who suffered defeat was Simeon Dimoh who participated in the 67kg category, Dimoh lost to a Malian opponent by seven points to zero.
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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