Why Kidunda flopped at Olympics

London. Tanzania’s welterweight boxer Seleman Kidunda has blamed lack of international exposure and poor training facilities as major factors behind his early elimination at the ongoing London Olympics.Speaking to The Citizen,  award winning fighter Kidunda, who suffered a 20-7 points defeat to Moldavia pugilist Vasilii Belous in their Olympics welterweight bout last Sunday, said he has not been discouraged at all and still dreams of becoming Africa and, possibly, world champion in the near future.

Flanked by his coach Remmy Ngabo, the 28-year-old Ruvuma-born soldier who won the Best Sportsman Journalist Award (Taswa) consecutively in 2010, 2011 and 2012, explained that although he and his trainer had a much-organised plan, the Moldavian outwitted him on technical and cunning strategy.

He said: “My adversary had more experience. For instance he kept on punching, grabbing, leaning and clinching despite warnings from the referee. And each time he threw those sneaky punches he was gaining points.
“I looked slow because my style is to hunt and study an opponent. It took a while to figure out his strategy and how to work around his south paw style as he was ducking and changing direction after every punch.
“As soon as I discovered what my opponent was up to I started launching body shots which made him weaker and by the time I regained my composure we were in the third round. If you look at the footage I was winning more points in the end, but it was too late.”

Asked what would have happened had the fight continued into further rounds like in professional bouts, Kidunda did not hesitate responding:
“I would have beaten him. If you look at my record, in most of my previous international fights, I have mostly won by knockout.”
Kidunda has fought in many parts of Africa including Rwanda (2006), Uganda (Intercity games, 2011), Mozambique (All Africa Games, 2011), Morocco (April, 2012). He twice took part in India’s Commonwealth Games in 2010 and secured a bronze.

Elaborating further on his prized fighter, Ngabo stressed that Kidunda’s defeat was not a setback but a call to arms. “Everywhere we go we keep meeting colleagues from other countries who are surprised that our diaries back home are not full at all.

“Boxers in developed countries are constantly competing and engaged. This gives them a lot of practice and experience, whereas we have very few big duels. As a result our fighters are not pushed, and you can see Africans are always losing.”

Both men spoke vehemently at the lack of sufficient equipment and training facilities in Tanzania.
They expressed shock and enthusiasm at finding such adequate facilities at the pre Olympic space of Bradford University almost a month ago. Giving an example, Kidunda said boxers back home use unsuitable punching bags. “Someone would be using a wrong bag for his weight which in the long term damages him. In developed countries boxers use the right equipment for everything.”

In recent years, our athletes have expressed lack of enthusiasm from fellow compatriots, authorities and a negative perception of media and social networking sites.

This essential psychological solidarity is crucial in nations who traditionally win trophies in major tournaments like Kenya, Brazil, US, China, UK, Ethiopia. Seven athletes, coaches and officials are representing Tanzania in this year’s well-executed Olympics in London. Fifteen-year-old (youngest ever) swimmer, Ammaar Ghadiyali did not make it in his first heat on Tuesday morning. However, his coach, Sheha Mohammed explained that he was satisfied with the excellent time he clocked which is “his best ever.”
Another swimmer, 21 years old, Magdalena Moshi could not bring solace to the national team camp after flopping in the 100-metre freestyle. She clocked 1:05:80 minutes to finish seventh on Wednesday morning. Tanzania’s medal hopes now rest on the shoulders of runners Mohamed Msenduki, Faustin Mussa, Samson Ramadhani and Zakia Mrisho who will be in action next week.
Tanzania’s squad has been boosted with a promise of  $2,000 (Sh3m) reward for any medal winner by retired head of the Tanzanian armed forces, General Mirisho Sarakikya, who met the athletes here on Monday.