Conjestina Achieng was the first African woman to hold the Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF) middleweight boxing title and was ranked fifth among top female boxers in the world. After boxing in various amateur fights, she made her victorious professional debut in 2002.

She followed this up with some great local wins that were rewarded with international match-ups. She won various titles including World Boxing Council middleweight, which she took twice, as well as the World Boxing Federation, Global Boxing Union and World Boxing International Federation middleweight crowns.

Born on 20 October 1977 in Siaya County, Achieng was the fifth of 10 children. Her brother, Joseph Kusimba, an ex-boxer who runs a boxing club in Mathare in Nairobi, inspired her to join boxing.

Although Achieng has been receiving medical treatment for schizo-effective disorder diagnosed in late 2012, she hopes to return to the ring again.