Commonwealth Boxing Council Champion Sarah ‘Angel of War’ Achieng’ is the LG SJAK Sports Personality of Month of December 2023.
The Boxgirls Kenya lady pugilist earned the accolade after successfully defending her Commonwealth Super lightweight title against Zimbabwean challenger Chiedza Homakoma.
In winning the December award, Achieng carried home an LG Nano Cell smart TV worth Ksh 100,000 courtesy of title sponsors LG East Africa.
The soft-spoken Achieng’ was all smiles after winning the coveted monthly trophy, becoming the fourth boxer to win the trophy after former WBC Champion Fatma Zarika, Judy Waguthii and Hit Squad mainstay Elly Ajowi.
“It is such a great feeling to win this award, more so, at a time I am preparing for my fight in Belgium next week. The award goes to show the hard work and determination we have achieved as Boxgirls, and I hope to continue working hard in my fights to take my career to the next level,” Achieng’ said after receiving the award on Thursday at the LG Showroom in Nairobi.
“My Coach (Irie Priest Onalo) has been instrumental in our training and indeed mentoring countless other girls from the sprawling Kariobangi to take up the sport of boxing. We owe him big tome,” added Achieng’.
The 35-year- old hard-hitting boxer beat top nominees among them Chess National Champion Mehul Gohil, Roslidah Asumwa of Tennis and Collins Ndunda who won three medals at the Mombasa international Tong-ll-Moo-Do Championship.
Achieng knocked out Chiedza aka ‘Queen Tiger’ in the eighth round at the Charter Hall, Nairobi to achieve the feat. Achieng’ took absolute control of the fight from the first round taking full advantage of her back-pedaling opponent, shaking her with strong body and face punches.
She will be vying for the World Boxing Association (WBA) tittle in Belgium on February 4 in the super lightweight category against home girl Belgian Oshin Deriew.
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 Victoria Reynolds among others.
William Kamore, LG Content Manager on his part said that it had been a successful year for sports, as witnessed by the diversity this Award has showcased throughout the past season adding that the company is looking forward to continuing the partnership.
