NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 26 – Commonwealth Super welterweight champion Sarah Achieng, nicknamed the ‘angel of war’, has been named as the LG/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) sports personality for the month of December.
The ‘Boxgirls Kenya’ pugilist put herself high in the map after her knockout victory over Zimbabwean challenger Chiedza Homakoma in their Commonwealth title fight at the Charter Hall in Nairobi.
Achieng floored the Zimbabwean, nicknamed ‘The Queen Tiger’ in the eighth round of the fight.
She took absolute control of the fight from the first gong taking full advantage of her back-pedalling opponent, shaking her with strong body and face punches.
“I am really delighted to have won this award. Even when I was coming here, I had no idea this is why I was coming. I am really delighted and for me this is a massive motivation because it shows me that even when I am working, there are people watching in the background,” Achieng told Capital Sport as she received the award at the LG Showroom in Westlands.
She added; “My next fight is next month in Belgium and this has now given me an extra push to go there and do my best again.”
In winning the December award, Achieng carried home an LG Nano Cell smart TV worth Sh100,000 courtesy of title sponsors LG East Africa.
The 35 year old hard-hitting boxer beat top nominees among them Chess National Champion Mehul Gohil, Roslidah Sumwa of Tennis and Collins Ndunda who won gold, silver and bronze at the Mombasa international tong il-modo.
She becomes the fourth boxer to win the trophy after former WBC Champion Fatma Zarika, Judy Waguthii and Hit Squad mainstay Elly Ajowi.
Achieng is a product of the revered Boxgirls Kenya, which is a community-based Organisation set up to build the work started by Coach Analo Anjere (popularly known as Priest).
Boxgirls has produced some of Kenya’s most prolific lady boxers including trail-blazing Kenya amateur team star Elizabeth Andiego who became the first Kenyan lady to play at the Olympic Games in London 2012.
William Kamore, LG Content Manager on his part said: “It’s been such a successful year for sports, as we have witnessed the diversity this Award has showcased throughout the past season and we are looking forward to renewing the award.”
Achieng joins the growing list of sports personalities who have laid hands on the LG title. Others include world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Chengetich and basketballer Victoria Reynolds.