After nine intense days and more than 500 bouts, the boxing tournament of the 1st World Qualification Tournament came to an end today at the E-Work Arena in Busto Arsizio, Italy. A total of 47 Olympic quota places were awarded, one in each of the bouts contested in the morning and evening session.
The tournament served as a crucial step on the Boxing Road to Paris, distributing 49 quota places across 13 weight categories for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The first quota of the day went to Venezuelan boxer Jesus COVA, who outscored Saparmyrat ODAJEV (TKM) in their Men’s 63.5 kg bout. Despite a fierce start from both, it was Cova’s decisive punches that secured him a 3:1 victory and a ticket to Paris 2024. Similarly, 21-year-old RUSLAN ABDULLAEV of Uzbekistan triumphed over his opponent from Serbia, Aleksej Vitorovic SENDRIK, with the same scoreline.
In the Men’s 92kg event, 19-year-old LAZIZBEK MULLOJONOV claimed victory over his Georgian opponent GEORGII KUSHITASHVILI with a commanding 5:0 score. In the same weight category, ENMANUEL REYES PLA representing Spain and Patrick BROWN representing Great Britain showcased their dominance, outclassing their opponents and earning full scorecards from all judges.
In the Men’s +92 kg category, the home crowd at the E-Work Arena celebrated the victory of Italian Diego LENZI, who outclassed DANIS LATYPOV (BRN). LENZI’s strategy, coupled with remarkable punches, led to a resounding 5-0 victory and a quota slot for Paris.
Moments later, two high-energy bouts awarded two additional quotas in the Men’s +92kg event, with Germany’s NELVIE RAMAN TIAFACK and France’s MOINDZE Djamili-Dini ABOUDOU boxing at full pace to claim victory against their opponents, Dusan VELETIC (SRB) and Alexis BARRIERE (CAN), respectively.
Italian boxer Sirine CHARAABI brought joy to home fans by defeating Aeji IM of Korea in the Women’s 54kg category. CHARAABI’s strong start in the first round earned her favor with all five judges. Despite attempts from the Korean in Rounds 2 and 3, CHARAABI’s dominance secured her a 4:1 win and an Olympic quota place. Sara CIRKOVIC of Serbia, Jutamas JITPONG of Thailand, and Thi Kim Anh VO of Vietnam also secured their tickets for Paris 2024 in the same weight division.
In the Women’s 66kg, Maria Altagracia MORONTA HERNANDEZ (DOM) secured a quota place by defeating her Uzbekistani opponent NAVBAKHOR KHAMIDOVA. Competing alongside her at the Olympics in the same weight category will be NIEN CHIN CHEN of Chinese Taipei and Poland’s Aneta RYGIELSKA, who demonstrated brilliant boxing skills to secure their quota places.
In the Women’s 75kg division, a thrilling contest ensued between Sunniva HOFSTAD (NOR) and Love HOLGERSSON (SWE). The Norwegian boxer emerged victorious after forcing the judges to stop the contest in round 2 after two standing counts.
Cindy NGAMBA of the Boxing Refugee Team left spectators in awe with a brilliant performance against Kazakhstan’s VALENTINA KHALZOVA. NGAMBA executed exceptional combinations, leaving no chance for her opponent as the referee halted the contest in round 3 at 1:05, securing her the golden opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games.
European Games bronze medallist Elzbieta WOJCIK of Poland lived up to expectations, outscoring her opponent PATRICIA ADANMA EPELLE MBATA from Nigeria with a sharp 5:0 victory. Despite a strong comeback from her opponent in Round 2, Wojcik’s dominance in the third round secured her victory.
Two-time Olympian and Rio 2016 bronze medallist VALENCIA VICTORIA INGRIT LORENA (COL) achieved a quota spot for Paris 2024 after a commanding 5:0 victory in the Women’s 50kg event against Natalia KUCZEWSKA (POL). In the same weight category, 20-year-old Sabina BOBOKULOVA (UZB) clinched a 3:2 split decision win against Japan’s RINKA KINOSHITA.
Nesthy PETECIO from the Philippines secured her place in the Paris 2024 Olympics with a 5-0 win, marking her second qualification after the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The victory of Alessia MESIANO (ITA) in the Women’s 60kg event declared Italy as one of the most successful team in terms of quota places awarded at the 1st World Olympic Qualifier. After an intense bout against Miroslava JEDINAKOVA (SVK), the Italian NOC brought home the fourth ticket for Paris, making a total of eight including slots won at the 2023 European Games.
Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist SAKEN BIBOSSINOV (KAZ) secured his ticket for Paris 2024 with a dominant approach, attacking Kiaran MACDONALD (GBR) to secure a 4:0 unanimous decision victory.
In the Men’s 57kg class, NIJAT HUSEYNOV (AZE) caused an upset as he defeated United States boxer Roscoe HILL after a notable match. Although Hill took the first round 5-0, Huseynov regained momentum in the second and third rounds, securing a 3-2 split decision win.
After all quotas were distributed, Italy finished at the top of the list with 4 Paris 2024 tickets, followed by XX with 6 and Ireland with 5. A total of 17 countries earned at least 1 quota place.
Along the Boxing Road to Paris, there will be one last chance for boxers to secure participation slots for the Games in the 2nd World Qualification Tournament to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, at the end of May 2024.
Find all the results and drawsheets on https://boxing.athlete365.org/boxing-road-to-paris-2024/1st-world-qualification-tournament/
