The 2nd World Qualification Tournament continued today in Bangkok, Thailand, with more thrilling bouts and 6 quota places awarded in the Women’s 60 kg, Men’s 57 kg, and Men’s 80 kg divisions.
In a remarkable display of skill and strategy, the 29-year-old Johana Carolina GOMEZ LANDAETA (VEN) dominated her Women’s 54kg round-of-16 match against the young Hawaiian talent Shera Mae PATRICIO (USA), winning 5:0, with all five judges awarding her each of the three rounds. In her quest for the Olympic quota slot, the Venezuelan boxer will meet Enkhjargal MUNGUNTSETSEG of Mongolia, who outscored Scarlett DELGADO (CAN) via a 5:0 unanimous decision victory.
Also, Bojana GOJKOVIC (MNE), with a commanding 5:0 and a full scorecard, eased past Anjani TELI of Nepal, showcasing brilliant tactics and boxing skills. Advancing to the quarterfinals and just one win away from the Olympic quota place, she will face off against Hsiao Wen HUANG (TPE), who was too strong for Melissa MORTENSEN (DEN), as the referee had to stop the contest in R3, awarding HUANG the match.
In the same weight category, Aeji IM (KOR), Zeynab RAHIMOVA (AZE), Jennifer LEHANE (IRL), Anastasiia KOVALCHUK (UKR), and Hanna LAKOTAR (HUN) moved into the quarterfinals.
In the Women’s 60kg semifinal match, the Swedish boxer Agnes ALEXIUSSON (SWE) demonstrated her dominance right from the start against her rival HA Thi Linh (VIE). She commanded both the first and second rounds, earning five 10/9 scores from the judges in each round. Alexiusson’s determination and relentless effort were evident as she continued to push forward until the end of the third round. Her consistent performance led to winning the match, securing not only the victory but also an Olympic quota place.
Yeonji OH of Korea conquered the second Olympic slot at stake today in the Women’s 60kg division. In a close match against Finland’s Vilma VIITANEN (FIN), the Korean boxer started strong, gaining a 4:1 advantage in the first round. She maintained her winning momentum with a successful offensive strategy throughout the second and third rounds. OH’s consistent and aggressive performance secured her nation’s first ticket to Paris, demonstrating her valuable boxing skill and determination in the ring.
In the Women’s 75kg category, Melissa GEMINI, the last Italian contender remaining in the 2nd World Qualification Tournament, secured a spot in the quarterfinals. She achieved this by defeating Busra ISILDAR from Turkey 5:0. GEMINI’s victory keeps Italy’s hopes alive in the tournament as she advances further in the competition. The Italian is set to face the 2022 Asian Games bronze medallist Baison MANIKON (THA), who emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle against Suyeon SEONG (KOR). The Thai athlete, supported by the home crowd, edged the first round 3:2. In the second and third rounds, some solid punches to the face of SEONG helped MANIKON to gain a clear advantage and seal a 4-1 split decision victory.
Gerlon Gilmar CONGO CHALA (ECU) did not waste his opportunity to reach the quota place match in the Men’s 92kg weight category as he defeated Willys MENDOZA (COL) with a sharp 5:0 win. The Ecuadorian has scheduled a meeting with Fernando ARZOLA representing Cuba, who got rid of Byeknur KHALI (MGL) through a maximum points unanimous decision victory.
In a closely contested battle, the Ukrainian boxer Dmytro LOVCHYNSKYI triumphed over Luka Pratljacic from Croatia. Lovchynskyi secured the advantage by winning the first round with a 4:1 score. Throughout the match, he maintained an offensive strategy, consistently pressuring his opponent. Despite the tight competition, Lovchynskyi’s persistence and aggressive tactics ultimately led to a 4:1 split decision victory, showcasing his determination and skill in the ring.
In the Women’s 50kg event, the 19-year-old Zainab Motunrayo ADESHINA of Nigeria raised her hands in celebration as she was declared the winner against Hanan NASSAR of Jordan after an intense bout. The Nigerian took the lead by a thin margin in the first round. The Jordanian tried to counterattack in the second and third rounds, but the patient approach and determination of ADESHINA helped her to clinch a 3-2 split decision win. Coming up next for the young Nigerian talent is Pihla KAIVO-OJA of Finland, who secured a convincing victory with a unanimous decision of 5:0, demonstrating her dominance in the match.
The youngest rising star of Team USA, Alyssa MENDOZA (USA), made it through, winning every round against Anastasiia MOLOCHKO (UKR), displaying her talent and determination in the ring. Tomorrow, in the quota bout, the boxer from Idaho will have to deal with the 18-year-old from the Netherlands, Maud VAN DER TOORN (NED), who got rid of Josefien BETIST (SLE) with a sharp 5:0.
In the Women’s 57kg division, Esra YILDIZ KAHRAMAN (TUR) secured a commanding 5:0 victory against Jenifer FERNANDEZ ROMERO (ESP), earning a full scorecard (all judges awarded her all rounds). The last obstacle for the Turkish will be the Thai boxer Nilawan TECHASUEP, who landed powerful and sharp blows to her opponent Huyen Tran NGUYEN (VIE) to conquer a maximum points unanimous decision win.
The first quota place for Paris 2024 in the Men’s 57kg class was conquered by Aider ABDURAIMOV (UKR) after winning the semifinal match against Munarbek SEIITBEK UULU (KGZ). The Ukrainian boxer started with an offensive approach, delivering sharp blows to his opponent’s face. This aggressive strategy earned him the favor of four judges, who scored the first and second rounds 10/9 in his favor. ABDURAIMOV maintained this strategy effectively until the end of the match, securing a dominant 5:0 victory.
The second quota place in the same division was claimed by Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Carlo PAALAM from the Philippines. The match began with high energy and intensity, with Paalam narrowly winning the first round 3:2. In the second round, Paalam displayed greater determination and powerful punches, securing a unanimous 5:0 score. Both boxers gave their all in the third round, but PAALAM’s consistent performance led to another 5:0 victory. This triumph allows Paalam to represent his country at the Olympics for the second time in his career.
Two additional tickets for Paris were awarded today in the Men’s 80kg weight category: the first quota went to Cristian Javier PINALES (DOM), who left no chance to his opponent Rafayel HOVHANNISYAN from Armenia, sealing a 5:0 victory. Moments later, the Indoor Stadium Huamark erupted in joy as the local hero Weerapon JONGJOHO (THA) triumphed over Hussein IASHAISH of Jordan via a 5:0 unanimous decision win, claiming the first quota place of the tournament for Thailand on home soil.
The 2nd World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok will come to an end tomorrow, June 2, with the last exciting bouts that will award the remaining 37 Olympic quota places.
Follow the action live on the Olympic Channel: https://olympics.com/en/sport-events/2024-boxing-2nd-world-qualification-tournament-bangkok
Find the latest updates, photos, and results online on the Athlete 365 Boxing Corner website at the tournament page.
Find additional information about the event on the Thai Boxing Association website.
