Top Five Stories From Saturday You Must Read Today
9th September 2018
For Fatuma Zarika, the status quo as the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight champion remains
- Tactical fighting by Zarika who outclassed her challenger to record a split decision 2-1 victory and retain her coveted belt
- An own goal by Nicholas Opoku was the Black Stars undoing following a flowing attacking move initiated by Japan-based striker Michael Olunga
- Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, will be looking to complete the Wimbledon-US Open double for a third time
NAIROBI, Kenya- Fatuma 'Iron Fist' Zarika capped off a wonderful day for Kenyan sports as she punched her way to victory, successfully defending her World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight title on Saturday night.
During the event dubbed Nairobi fight night, US based Rayton Okwiri's second round knockout triumph over Ugandan Patrick Amote was a highlight of the night.
The pace had been set by the national men's football team, Harambee Stars, who beat Ghana 1-0 to keep their hopes of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alive.
Novak Djokovic hailed Juan Martin del Potro as a "gentle giant" but he'll have no hesitation in attempting to cut his close friend down to size in Sunday's US Open final.
Here are the top five stories from Saturday compiled by SportPesa News:
Zarika Outclasses Mercado To Retain WBC Crown In Epic Fight
NAIROBI, Kenya- For Fatuma Zarika, the status quo as the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight champion remains. For Mexican challenger, Yamelith Mercado, she lives to fight another day. Everything else happened in between. In the signature act of the boxing festival dubbed Nairobi Fight Night saw an accomplished display of tactical fighting by Zarika who outclassed her challenger to record a split decision 2-1 victory and retain her coveted belt. READ MORE
Ten-Man Harambee Stars Stun Ghana To Revive 2019 AFCON Hopes
NAIROBI, Kenya- Ten-man Harambee Stars kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after a dogged display saw them stun Ghana 1-0 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on Saturday. An own goal by Nicholas Opoku was the Black Stars undoing following a flowing attacking move initiated by Japan-based striker Michael Olunga who forced the Ghana defender into the error. READ MORE
Ostrava 2018: African Giant Yego Seeks Uplifting Climax
OSTRAVA, Czech Republic- Kenya’s Julius ‘You Tube Man’ Yego is out for an uplifting climax to the season at the Ostrava 2018 at the IAAF Continental Cup. Yego, the 2015 world champion and 2016 Olympics silver winner in the men’s javelin has been well off his best, hampered by a persistent groin problem. READ MORE
Okwiri Brutal Knock Out Of Amote Crowns Fight Night Undercard
NAIROBI, Kenya- Olympian and AIBA Africa Welterweight champion, Rayton ‘Boom Boom’ Okwiri floored Uganda’s Patrick Amote in the second round in a men’s middleweight non-title bout to sign off the Nairobi Fight Night undercard in style on Saturday night in Nairobi. Okwiri's emphatic second round Technical Knock Out of Abote crowned the countdown to the main event- the WBC women Super Bantamweight title fight between Fatuma Zarika and Yelmith Mercado- that also saw George Onyango, 21, defeat countryman Fred Nyakesa 2-1 on split decision in the opening fight. READ MORE
US Open Final: Djokovic Sets Aim At 'Gentle Giant' Del Potro
NEW YORK, United States- Novak Djokovic hailed Juan Martin del Potro as a "gentle giant" but he'll have no hesitation in attempting to cut his close friend down to size in Sunday's US Open final. Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, will be looking to complete the Wimbledon-US Open double for a third time when he tackles the 2009 winner in New York with a 14th major within touching distance. READ MORE