Opinion: Boxer Mwakinyo is an embodiment of perseverance

During the 2012 Olympics I interviewed many of our athletes and their coaches representing Tanzania at the East London games.

I also had chats with government and party officials. Then High Commissioner Peter Kallaghe did a get-together for all at his residency.

Tanzania did not gain a single medal yet each of these athletes felt they were supported morally.

Many things were said but there was ONE phrase, a mantra that stood erect.

It was repeated many times, especially by the coaches. Remmy Ngabo (boxing for Suleman Kidunda), Zachariah Gwandu (athletics) and the swimming Zanzibar trainer, Sheha Mohammed.

One of runners, Zakia Mrisho also repeated this mantra.

What did they say?

When properly supported, individual athletes effectively win trophies.

The intention of this article is not to undermine or belittle football, basketball, netball and other big, important team sports.

Why say this?

Recently, we have been mesmerised by Tanga-born boxer Hassan Mwakinyo. None of us had ever heard of the 23-year-old super welterweight pugilist. However, after he knocked out British champion Sam Eggington at the beginning of September 2018, he is now a national star, our pride.

I counted at least ten Hassan Mwakinyo Instagram pages.

In one of the footages, Mwakinyo is quoted claiming it was difficult getting a visa to the UK.

“We had to borrow money from a student, whose cash was for school fees

According to Mwakinyo’s mother (speaking from Tanga), Hassan’s father brought some boxing equipment in the Middle East where he was working.

There is a previous clip of Hassan working out in a dingy, dusty backyard, punching an old car tyre.

As I young man I used to box and I know it hurts when you punch the bag, let alone striking a hard, car tyre. No wonder he inflicted such vicious blows on the former English champion.

Now Mwakinyo, aka Champez, is scheduled to meet German challenger Wanik Awdijan on October 20. Armenia-born Awdijan is also 23 years old and taller (188cm).

Let us assess this further.

During the Swahili spoken clip Mwakinyo paid homage to his friend a translator who helped alot in his pre UK visit.

He also added: “We Tanzanians always pay more attention to things with no value and sidestep the useful...” It is very important statement from this recent hero.

Mwakinyo could be reiterating what the Olympic coaches said in 2012. That caring and putting more emphasis on individual talent has quicker benefits than huge teams that never seem to win anything for almost or over 40 years now. Last time our soccer players managed to attend the Africa Cup of Nations was in 1980 in Lagos Nigeria.

Check out the recent heavyweight win of Briton Anthony Joshua last Saturday against his Russian rival, Alexander Povetkin, at the legendary Wembley Stadium, London.

While the English team has never won a major cup since 1966, individual stars like Anthony Joshua (son of Nigerian immigrants) bring joy to the British nation.

Back to Hassan Mwakinyo.

Check out the facts.

The Minister of Culture, Information and Sports, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, hailed him as the best ever Tanzanian boxer. It brings back memories when the legendary Titus Simba won a silver medal at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. Back then Mwalimu Nyerere was full of praise.

Mwakinyo met the Prime Minister and was congratulated in Parliament. Note the speed of progress.

Internationally, Mwakinyo rose in ranking from world number 158 to 16th.

On social media some clips are hilarious. Early this week, a young man with a red T-shirt posted himself taking off his T-shirt and lifting huge sack of grains from one place to another. Just to show strength. The caption? “Miye mdogo wake” (I am his younger brother).

Then there is footage of billionaire Mo Dewji.

A representative of the nation, Mr Dewji says, calling him a Simba SC fan.

Hassan shadowboxes then turns to demonstrate his printed name. Watch out the hundreds of comments. Some warn Mwakinyo against publicly endorsing a rival soccer team.

This is a fair view.

You rarely see famous boxers like Anthony Joshua or Floyd Mayweather endorsing famous sports teams. They stick to their fists. But again Mwakinyo needs a good team of advisors around him. He also should take English lessons so he can speak properly after winning big fights, which he might.

Yes. In the last 12 months we have observed another promising boxer, Ibrahim Class, the super featherweight. Perhaps that was just a warm-up for things to come.

We are witnessing what can happen when individual talent is nourished.