Victor Komen: Man determined to take Nakuru back to its boxing glory days

Victor Komen poses for a photo after an interview on April 22,2025.
Nakuru’s Victor Komen claimed second place in the light flyweight (under 48 kg) category at the National Open Boxing Championship, which concluded yesterday.
Komen fell short in the finals, losing 3-0 to Kenya Defence Forces’ Cyrus Onyango.
In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Komen describes the tournament as a major milestone in his boxing journey. It marked his second appearance in the championship and his best performance to date.
“The first time I competed, I was eliminated in the preliminaries. Reaching the finals this time was a huge achievement and my best showing so far,” he says.
He highlights the semi-final bout as his best fight of the tournament, proudly noting that he knocked out his opponent to secure a place in the final.
Komen explains that the National Open serves as a platform for amateur boxers to earn selection to the national and armed forces boxing teams.
“I’m hopeful that my performance will earn me a call-up. I want to inspire upcoming boxers in Nakuru by showing them that it's possible to rise through the ranks,” he says.
Looking ahead, Komen dreams of turning professional, believing he’s gained enough experience and skill through his amateur career. However, his journey has not been without challenges.
Most recently, Komen narrates how he faced training setbacks due to internal conflicts at the Nakuru Armature Boxing Club, where he initially trained. As a result, he was forced to switch to Kaloleni Boxing Club, which is located far from his home.
“When the wrangles began at the Boxing Club, I had no choice but to move to Kaloleni Boxing Club. It’s quite a distance, and I walk there daily, but I had to stay committed,” he says.
Komen’s entry into boxing was unexpected. He took up the sport after injuring a friend during a street fight—a moment that redirected his path.
Although his mother was initially against his decision, she eventually supported him after seeing his passion and dedication.
A student of Information Technology at Nakuru Vocational Training Centre, Komen now aspires to represent Kenya in international tournaments.
Beyond his boxing goals, he’s also passionate about promoting mental health awareness among athletes, particularly in the boxing community.