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Elizabeth Iron Fist Akinyi became the first Kenyan woman to win a WBC regional title on January 18, 2025, defeating South Africa’s Zanele Tshoko via unanimous decision (97–93 x3) in a welterweight (66.7kg) bout at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Fighting before a sold-out crowd of 3,500, Akinyi dominated with sharp jabs and body work, dropping Tshoko in Round 7. This belt is for every girl told boxing isn’t for her, she said. Her victory triggered a surge in female boxing registrations—up 140% at Nairobi’s Olympic Centre gym. The Sports Ministry pledged KSh 30 million to renovate national boxing facilities ahead of the 2027 All-Africa Games.