Pascalinah Kabi
MASERU — Local boxer Moroke Mokhotho became the first Mosotho athlete to lift a medal at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.
Mokhotho picked a bronze medal in the 52 kilogramme category in a semi-final bout against Algeria’s Brahim Famir on Wednesday.
He collected the bronze after he lost his semi-final bout against Famir on points.
According to reports from Maputo, Mokhotho was unlucky to lose the tie after putting a solid show in the second and third rounds of the fight.
He lost the tie 12 —14 points.
Mokhotho lost the first round but came back stronger in the last two rounds.
Despite crashing out in the semis, Mokhotho bowed out of the tournament with his head held high as he was the only boxer who managed to proceed to that stage.
Sources within the squad blamed the poor showing by Lesotho boxers on lack of adequate preparations by the Lesotho Boxing Association.
Another Lesotho boxer, Kokole Paneng, had earlier given the country a glimmer of hope when he proceeded to the second round.
He however crashed out spectacularly when he lost his match in the quarter finals.
Five other boxers, Khauhelo Mothunyane, Qhobosheane Mohlerephe, Tšepo Lepoqo, Dyamdeki Lungile and Teboho Ramokoena, were all knocked out in the preliminary rounds.
Lesotho is however expecting to win more medals at the games when athletics and tennis matches kick-off in Maputo.
Taekwondo, in which Lesotho is also represented, will only start its preliminary games on Wednesday.
The All-Africa Games kicked off on September 3 and will run until September 18.
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