They won 12 medals, seven gold, three silver and two bronze.

Algeria emerged the overall winner of the 4^th edition of the African boxing championship which ended in Yaounde on Friday March 7, 2014.

The Algerian boxers excelled in all the boys, girls and junior categories winning a total of 12 medals, seven in gold, three in silver and two in bronze. “It is a historic performance, said the Algerian technical director, Mourad Mezine. The success demonstrates advances made by Algerian boxing. We came with 13 boxers and won 12 medals. I am very satisfied because that represents 95 per cent success.

Algerian was followed in terms of medals won by Morocco who dominated the event in the women category. Cameroon the host country recorded a very disappointing performance on the continental scene but reigned supreme in the Zone 3 regional competition winning four medals. Most of the medals were won on the last day of the competition and mostly against Gabonese boxers.

The medals were fetched for Cameroon by Simplice Fotsala, Moumi Sangue, Smaila Mahaman and Claude Kenfak. Simplice Fotsala defeated Marcus Ngoua Edou from Gabon in the 46-49kg category. Moumi Sangue on his part beat Frank Mombey in the 64kg category while Smaila Mahaman eliminated Wilfred Mapaga in three straight rounds.

In the 91 kg category Claude Kenfack defeated Bourourou Davy Wilfred. We had a difficult start of the competition but as time progressed we boosted the morale of the boxers to usher them to victory. Despite the departure of about 80 per cent of our athletes, we still had a good result. I am therefore a happy coach because my children did not disappoint me,” said the national trainer in boxing, Jean Paul Mognemo.

The African championship which ran from March 2 to 7, is the first competition to be organized by the boxing federation since after the re-election of Bertrand Mendounga. The competition was in preparation for the upcoming African games in Botswana.