Former Kenyan boxer Stephen Thega dies in Nairobi
Stephen Thega (left) fights F. Thuku of Rift Valley during a past local league bout. Thega died on September 28, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Tata-Muya said that Thega's wife, Anne, relayed the sad news. She said Thega was resting at their home in Naivasha having recovered from Covid-19 when he fell ill on Sunday.
Former Kenyan boxer Stephen Thega is dead.
Ministry of Sport’s Heroes and Heroines sports coordinator, former athletics international Rose Tata-Muya disclosed that Thega, 75, died on Tuesday night while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Tata-Muya said that Thega's wife, Anne, relayed the sad news. She said Thega was resting at their home in Naivasha having recovered from Covid-19 when he fell ill on Sunday.
The retired boxer, who represented Kenya in light middleweight at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and in light heavyweight at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, was rushed to KNH after he developed breathing problems.
Tata-Muya noted that Thega’s blood pressure was also low but the cause of his death is yet to be established.
“His wife thanked boxers and officials who had earlier raised Sh16,200 towards his medical bills,“ said Tata-Muya.
Thega won gold at the 1968 and 1972 Africa Championships in Lusaka and Nairobi respectively to claim the ticket to the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympics.
