Reil Mwiki walked away from the recent Kenya Kickboxing Federation (KKF) elite clinic with fresh clarity on his ambitions.
He aims to rise as a top-level amateur kickboxer using technical precision, smarter movement and tougher mental focus.
“I got new techniques and ways to improve punches, different combinations I can employ in my own game,” Mwiki said shortly after training with world champion coach Jarkko Jussila.
Jussila, a three-time world kickboxing champion and international coach, brought more than 25 years of combat sport experience to Kenyan athletes at the clinic.
Understanding key kickboxing techniques has been central to Mwiki’s learning. He highlighted improvements in hip rotation, which boosts power in both punches and kicks, snapping movement to generate speed, and in-and-out footwork to control distance — all essentials in modern kickboxing. “I got hip rotation, snapping movement and the in-and-out movement I was lacking,” he said.
Mwiki also spoke openly about the psychological side of combat sport. “It is more mental, even though it looks physical. We learn how to calm down nerves before entering the ring,” he said — a recognition that tactical patience and focus can be as decisive as physical strength.
Although he acknowledged his power, Mwiki admitted he had initially relied too much on brute force. “For the fights, I mostly rely on my power. I am really powerful,” he said.
However, through exposure to structured drills, combinations, and fight IQ concepts, he has begun to balance strength with strategy.
“My aspirations are not professional, but top-level amateur. Then I can call it a career,” Mwiki said, outlining a realistic roadmap for growth.
His journey started young, with taekwondo in primary school, followed by home training and university sessions with his brother. “I train twice a week,” he added — a steady routine that now incorporates advanced movement patterns and tactical thinking.
Kenya’s kickboxing scene has been steadily expanding, with the KKF calendar featuring county tournaments in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru, and a growing number of amateur championships that deepen participation and representation.
Other kickboxing bodies have also staged national competitions, bringing athletes from multiple counties into competitive platforms and strengthening pathways from grassroots to elite levels.
Armed with improved technique, rising fight intelligence and a clearer vision of where he wants to go, Mwiki is now well positioned to climb Kenya’s evolving kickboxing landscape — a space where discipline, strategy and opportunity are finally beginning to match the raw energy inside the ring.
