MMJKT wins 4th consecutive national boxing title
DAR ES SALAAM: THE TANZANIA National Services Headquarters team (MMJKT) won the 2024 National Club Championship in Tanga, securing their fourth consecutive title after a thrilling final held over the weekend at Urithi Tanga Museum.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for MMJKT, which previously claimed the title in Iringa (2023), Dar es Salaam (2022) and 2021. MMJKT finished the tournament with a total of 31 points, narrowly defeating the secondplace team, Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (Ngome), which scored 26 points. JKT-Mgulani secured third place with 10 points, while the Police team took fourth.
The trophy was awarded to the winners by Tanga City Mayor Abdulrahman Shiloo during the closing ceremony. In recognition of sportsmanship and discipline, Tanga Central received the “Most Disciplined Team” trophy at the tournament.
The event also honoured outstanding individual performances. Mwarami Salumu from MMJKT was named the best male boxer, while Sarafina Fusi from Ngome earned the title of best female boxer.
The competition commenced on Monday, November 11th, and concluded dramatically on Friday, November 15th, with the finals attended by several dignitaries, including Mayor Abdulrahman Shiloo, Boxing Federation of Tanzania President Lukelo Willilo and BFT Vice President Nassor Makau.
In his remarks, Mayor Shiloo expressed gratitude to the Boxing Federation for hosting the National Club Championship in Tanga for the third consecutive year, following the Open National Championship in 2022 and 2023. A total of 12 clubs competed in this year’s championship, including a guest club from Mombasa, Kenya.
Among the most exciting bouts of the finals was a flyweight (52 kilogramme) match between Zulfa Macho of Ngome and Latifa Uroki, where Zulfa won by a split decision (3-2).
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Rashid Mrema from the Police Force also won his light welterweight (63.5 kilogramme) match by split decision (3-2) against Mshihiri Mash of Tanga Central. In the Cruiserweight (86 kilogramme) division, Khalifa Rajabu, from MMJKT, delivered a stunning performance with a dominant 5-0 victory over Musa Maregesi from Ngome.
Khalifa, a bronze medallist at the 2023 African Boxing Championships in Accra, showcased his skills yet again. In the heavyweight (92 kilogramme) division, Mhina Magogo achieved a first-round knockout against Emmanuel Augustino of MMJKT. Meanwhile, Alphonce Avel from MMJKT won his bout with a second-round knockout over Mirambo James of Ngome.
Other notable victories included Eliankunda Daniel from MMJKT defeating Mohamed Shabani of Ngome (3-2) and Zawadi Amos knocking out Nelia Mwang’onda in the second round.
Mwarami Salumu from MMJKT scored a close 3-2 victory against Mohamed Mangochi of Ngome, while Hussein Juma of MMJKT earned a 3-2 win over Ramadhani Abdullah from Band Coy.
Hassan Mrutu of Ngome also triumphed with a 3-2 victory over Credo Peter from MMJKT. The final bout of the night in the super heavyweight category saw Alex Sita defeating Matonyinga Fidelis from JKT-Mgulani with a second-round referee stoppage.
