•Musa, who is being deputised by Dave Munuhe and John Waweru, says he is confident the invaluable input from the technical bench will fire the quartet to the medal podium.
•Welterweight Elizabeth Akinyi will battle it out with Panguana Halcina Helena of Mozambique.
Image: FILE
Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa says he's confident of positive results even as the Kenyan quartet limber up for their opening bouts at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan from July 25.
Musa remains bullish ahead of the opening bouts, insisting the quartet possess the ammunition to floor their opponents as they train their eyes on the coveted medals.
"We prepared well for this event. We had hoped to attend at least two more tournaments before the Games, but we didn't get the opportunity. Still, we did all we could to polish our act before the games and I'm confident the quartet will deliver well," said Musa.
Musa, who is being deputised by Dave Munuhe and John Waweru, says he is confident the invaluable input from the technical bench will fire the quartet to the medal podium.
"We have a good team of coaches who have done a commendable job to instil confidence in the team through comprehensive training sessions back at home and since we arrived in Japan on Sunday," he said.
"The good thing is that we embarked on early preparations and had an opportunity to test the mettle of our boxers both in Kinshasa and Russia. That gave us the opportunity to smooth the rough edges'" he added.
Featherweight Christine Ongare will be the first Kenyan boxer to step in the ring on July 25, according to the draw released on Thursday.
Ongare will lock horns with Irish Magno of the Philippines at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan. Magno made history as the first female Filipino boxer to qualify for Olympic Games.
The winner of their bout will set a date with either Boualam Rouamasya of Algeria or Jutamas Jitpong of Thailand on July 29.
Ongare said he was ready to prove to the rest of the world that Kenya and specifically Nairobi's Eastlands area has the capacity to produce world beaters in the boxing arena.
"I have worked hard enough to secure this opportunity and I'm ready to make good use of it. I believe a win for me will be a win for Kenyan girls and women who are grappling with challenges back home especially in eastlands are of Nairobi," said Ongare.
Welterweight Elizabeth Akinyi will battle it out with Panguana Halcina Helena of Mozambique. Nicholas Okoth has a date with Keevin Erdenebat on July 24. The winner of their bout will meet with either Duong van Nguyen of Vietnam or Tayfur Aliyev Azerbaijan on July 28.
"I learned a great deal during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and I'm ready to use the lessons to strut to the medal podium," said Okoth.
Africa Zone 3 Championship gold medalist Elly Ajowi will flex muscles with Julo la Cruz of Cuba on July 27. Ajowi has warned his opponents to prepare for a an abrasive battle, insisting he is the man to beat at the games.