Biography
Philip Waruinge was born on 3rd February 1945 in Muranga. He is a Kenyan professional boxer who competed in the featherweight and welterweight divisions.
Waruinge died on 19th October 2022 in his sleep in his Umoja Estate home in Nakuru County at 2:00 am. The 1972 Munich Olympics welterweight silver medalist died aged 77 years.
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Philip Waruinge Education Journey
The boxer started his education journey in Nakuru at St. Paul’s Primary School for his primary education. He later attended St. Theresa Secondary School in 1960.
Waruinge loved and enjoyed playing soccer but was selected to join the Nakuru Amateur boxing club in the same year.
The career journey of Wairuinge
His career as a boxer grew rapidly in 1962 aged 17, he was among the few chosen to represent Kenya at the All African Games in Cairo Egypt. He, unfortunately, didn’t win a medal but would later get a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games.
Waruinge represented Kenya in the Summer Olympics where he won the bronze medal in 1968 in Mexico City, Mexico. He lost 2:3 in the decision to Mexican Antonio Roldan but was awarded the Val Barker trophy for Outstanding Boxer at the Olympics.
However, he was given the trophy after the crowd protested that Waruinge had been robbed of Gold but the judges couldn’t overrun their decision.
In 1965 at the All-African Games in Congo, Philip Waruinge won his first Gold medal. He would later pick a second Gold still at the All-African Games in 1966. In the 1972 Munich Olympics in Germany, he defeated Jabbar Feli of Iran in the round of 32. He then proceed to the round of 16 where he defeated Salah Mohamed Amin of Egypt to proceed to the quarter-finals and defeated Jacko Lindberg of Finland.
In the semifinal, he defeated Clemente Rojas of Colombia by the decision but lost in the finals to Boris Kuznetsov of the Soviet Union by decision, 2-3, and was awarded the silver medal.
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Professional Career
Waruinge spent most of his professional career in Japan where he got the name Nakayama. He started his pro career in 1973 as a super bantamweight. While in Japan he was involved in the hospitality business where he operated a hotel.
In 1976 Waruinge landed a shot at the World Boxing Champion (WBC), bantamweight title holder Carlos Zarate. He was however knocked out in the fourth round. Waruinge was Japan’s National Champion in 1978 and retired in 1979. He retired having competed in 25 professional bouts having won 14, lost 10, and drew 1.
Philip had a fairly successful life as a businessman in Japan but was unfortunately deported back to Kenya in 2007 for failing to renew his visa.
In his retirement from boxing, he become a coach and trained youngsters.
Philip Waruinge Wife, children and family
He was married to Mary Ndeti and they have four children namely lucy, Andrew, Nancy, and Tom. He has several grandchildren including the renowned Kenyan musician Avril who broke the news of his death.
Philip Waruinge Net worth
The silver medalist is estimated to be worth Ksh. 100 -300 million with his income majorly from his boxing career and his businesses in Japan.
Philip Waruinge Death
Philip died on 19th October 2022 in his sleep in his Umoja Estate home in Nakuru County just before the Mashujaa day celebration.