Legendary Kenyan boxer Philip Waruinge passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, aged 77 at his Lanet residence.
According to his wife Mary Ndeti, Waruinge who was one of the most successful boxers in Africa died of unknown illness.
“He has been sick for quite some time. I have been taking him to hospital and doctors had not established what was ailing him,” she told Nation.
Also Read: Ex-BBC Journalist Launches a Sports Legends Show on KBC Radio
The Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) sent a condolence message to the family members as they mourn their kin.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and boxing colleagues of our great legend Philip Waruinge who passed on early this morning today at his Nakuru home,” read a statement from BFK.
Waruinge who was nicknamed “Nakayama” was the first boxer from the continent to win back to back gold medals at the African Championship.
He first won a gold medal in 1964 before adding two others at the 1966 and 1968 editions.
Waruinge was also the second boxer from Africa and the only Kenyan to lift the prestigious Val Barker Trophy at the 1968 Olympic Games staged in Mexico.
He bagged a couple of other trophies before finally hanging his boots in 1978. In his outstanding career, Waruinge took part in 25 professional bouts, losing 10, drawing 1 and registering 4 wins.
The late Waruinge has left behind four children and a number of grandchildren including musician Judith Nyambura Mwangi popularly known as Avril.
Also Read: Kenya's Boxing Team to Use Borrowed Kits at Commonwealth Games