Team Kenya have every reason to pop the champagne cork after registering its first-ever World Boxing Championship victory since 2013.
Hit Squad cruiserweight fighter Hezron Maganga was the toast of the day putting up a valiant fight to tuck away the landmark victory at the Humo Arena in Tashkent Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
Maganga punched furiously to demolish French Polynesia's Tetoofa Henere in a engrossing action-packed Round of 64 thriller.
With history already on his side, Maganga has now vowed to storm the medal podium, stating that the win has accorded him the incentive and inspiration he needs to stamp authority in his subsequent bouts.
"It couldn't have come at a better time. The win has left me in high spirits and I now believe more than ever that I can secure a medal for our country," Maganga said.
"We came here to win and make the country proud and I'm happy I've kicked off my campaign on a high note. I'll do whatever I can to keep the momentum going in my next bout," he added.
Maganga reckons he has amassed sufficient expertise and experience in his repository to get the job done and dusted.
"I thank God for honoring me with this rare privilege of representing my country here in Uzbekistan. I'm well prepared for whatever challenge I'll encounter in the championships. The coach has polished me adequately for the task at hand," Maganga said.
"I've done my part, the coaches have played their role and we live the rest to God to give us all the help we need to perform well in our bouts," he added.
The towering ferocious puncher comprises the stellar Kenyan contingent that set foot in the land-locked South Asian country on Monday for the premier global boxing bonanza that officially opened its doors on Sunday.
The event runs from April 30 to May 14 with a star-studded ensemble of boxers drawn from all five continents punching ferociously for titles and honors in the cutthroat bouts.
Another Kenyan pugilist Joseph Shigali lost on split points to Ibrahim Omar of Gambia in light welterweight.
Despite his charges recording mixed results on the opening day of their campaign, Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa has exuded confidence in their potential to amass medals at the close of business.
"We have a very skillful and experienced team that will make the country proud in Uzbekistan. We have adequately done our homework and we hope for the best," Musa said.
Before Maganga's historic feat, Kenya had encountered a decade-long drought on the rugged terrain of the premier global boxing showpiece.
Decorated pugilist Rayton Okwiri recorded the country's last win in Almaty, Kazakhstan 10 years ago, where he sent Australian Daniel Lewis to the gallows to halt a previous 25-year drought.
