Robert Wangila
Photo Copyright: Kenya Page
By the early 1980s, boxing was a fast growing sport in Kenya. Boxing clubs had sprouted all around and boxers were competing heavily on the local scene. Among the hopefuls was one Robert Napunyi Wangila.
Born in Nairobi and raised in Jericho, Robert’s introduction to the ring began when he got a job as the team driver for the Kenya Breweries boxing club. As he shuttled people around he would take time to watch the boxers train and compete. He soon became enthralled with the sport, watching and imitating as he stood by the sidelines often silently mimicking those in the ring. Before long he traded ringside for inside the ring and joined the team as one of the boxers.
Wangila’s story is one of boldness – first watching and learning, then trying and perfecting, undeterred by where he started. His potential and unique talent was recognized as he boxed for the local club and soon, he was recruited to the national team.
His power tool? His right fist which is remembered to have been responsible for a number of power punches throughout his career.
In 1987, the fourth All Africa Games was held in Nairobi and a confident Robert was representing Team Kenya in the sport, determined to make an impression, especially as the games were on home turf. There, he bagged his first gold medal which elevated him to instant national fame. But that was just the introduction to the man with the power fists. The following year, at just 22 Robert took the flag beyond the country as one of our athletes at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea.
After three matches against a Pole, Bulgarian, Mongolian and Yugoslavian, Wangila had Made it to the finals in the Welterweight category. In a heated match against France’s Laurent Boudouani, he maintained his trademark poker face so none of his opponents could predict what to expect from him. Wangila took on his French opponent with vigour and after a powerful knockout emerged the winner making Robert Kenya’s and Africa’s first Olympic boxing gold medallist. The honour is one he would carry for years to come. To date – he is the only Kenyan to have brought home a non-athletic Olympic gold!
Robert’s presence in the boxing ring was more than just skill, it was powered by determination and of course by timeless punches and knockouts!
For many, Robert Wangila remains Kenya’s most celebrated boxer and we salute him for representing our black, white, red and green flag in rings across the globe.
#KeWachezaji #PaukwaPeople #OurSportsHeroes
