The 2nd World Qualification Tournament, held at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, distributed 8 Paris 2024 quota places today: 4 slots in the Men’s 63.5kg and 4 more in the Men’s 71kg event. These allocations are part of the 51 Paris 2024 qualification slots to be granted during the last Boxing Road to Paris qualifying event before the Olympic Games.
In Thailand, three quotas are up for grabs in the Women’s 60kg, Men’s 57kg, and Men’s 80kg weight category. The Men’s 63.5kg and 71kg divisions each have five quotas on offer, while the remaining eight categories have four quotas each.
The day started with JUNG Joohyung (KOR) and Nazym KYZAIBAY (KAZ) battling for a spot in the round-of-16 in the Women’s 50kg weight category. Experience came into play for the Kazakh boxer as solid punches to the face of her rival helped her secure a 5:0 victory. With the same score, Savannah STUBLEY (GBR) overcame Sofie Vinter ROSSHAUG of Denmark and is now set to face off with KYZAIBAY.
Moments later, Tayonis CEDENO (VEN) and Zlatislava Genadieva CHUKANOVA (BUL) jumped into the ring. Both boxers focused on movement and a flurry of punches, but the Bulgarian was more effective, winning 5:0 via unanimous decision. Advancing in the brackets, she will meet Rinka KINOSHITA (JPN), who was too strong for Ruhafzo HAQNAZAROVA (TJK), securing a unanimous decision win.
Vilma VIITANEN (FIN) triumphed over Poland’s Klaudia BUDASZ in a notable Women’s 60kg quarter-final match. VIITANEN showcased potent offensive tactics and powerful punches that forced the referee to stop the contest at 0:44 in Round 3. The Finnish boxer will battle in the semifinals against Yeonji OH (KOR) to grab one of the three quota places at stake in the weight category.
The second semifinal in the Women’s 60kg class will see Agnes ALEXIUSSON (SWE) and HA Thi Linh (VIE), who triumphed over Ankushita BORO (IND) and Sara BERAM (CRO), respectively.
In the Men’s 63.5kg weight category, Radoslav Simeonov ROSENOV (BUL) and Erislandy ALVAREZ (CUB) were the first two boxers to conquer the two quota places at stake today. The Bulgarian showcased his dominance in the ring, sealing a commanding 5:0 win over his rival Alexandru PARASCHIV (MDA). Meanwhile, Erislandy ALVAREZ of Cuba had a close battle against Bazarbay Uulu MUKHAMMEDSABYR (KAZ), with both boxers showing great determination and impactful blows. The Cuban sealed the first round 4:1. The Kazakh counterattack in the second and third rounds wasn’t effective enough, as the Cuban sealed a 3:0 victory.
A third Olympic slot was clinched by Oier IBARRECHE CONDE (ESP) in the same weight category, where he outscored the United States’ Emilio GARCIA. Malik HASANOV of Azerbaijan also secured his country an Olympic quota place after clinching a 3:2 split decision win over Jose Manuel VIAFARA FORY (COL).
The Men’s 71kg division quarterfinals awarded four additional quota places. The Olympian Zeyad EASHASH (JOR) got the better of the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Aidan WALSH (IRL) after a thrilling bout. The 25-year-old from Amman used his speed and punches to claim a 4:1 victory. On the other ring of the Indoor Arena Huamark, Nishant Dev NISHANT DEV (IND) made team India proud as he dominated his bout against Vasile CEBOTARI (MDA), winning 5:0 to bring home the fourth quota slot for Paris 2024, as well as the first in the male category. Jorge CUELLAR (CUB) didn’t make it through today as he was stunned by the Polish Damian DURKACZ via a sharp 5:0 unanimous decision win. Lewis RICHARDSON (GBR) raised his hands in celebration as he was declared the winner by 5:0 in his match against Angel Gabriel LLANOS PEREZ (PUR).
In the Women’s 66kg weight category, the 28-year-old Grainne WALSH (IRL) secured a commanding 5:0 victory against Sedja SANOGO (CIV), earning a full scorecard (all judges awarded her all rounds). Coming up next for the Irish is Ani HOVSEPYAN of Armenia, who earned a devastating KO win over Cara Simone WHARERAU (NZL). With another powerful knockout, Mahdi PARVIZI (IRI) cleared his round-of-16 in the Men’s 51kg event against Umayanga Mihiran GODAKANDALAGE (SRI) in less than two rounds. The Iranian is now set to face off against David DE PINA (CPV), who clinched a 3:2 split decision win over Dmytro ZAMOTAYEV of Ukraine.
In the Men’s 57kg class, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Carlo PAALAM continues his dream of representing the Philippines at his second Olympic Games, securing a resounding 5:0 unanimous decision win over Jose Luis DE LO SANTOS FELIZ (DOM). He is now one step closer to obtaining the quota place.
In the Men’s 80kg division quarterfinals, French boxer Yojerlin CESAR took an early lead by winning the first round. However, Jordanian boxer Hussein IASHAISH mounted a strong comeback, dominating the second and third rounds. His superior strategy and execution in the later stages of the battle led him to a 4:1 victory, demonstrating his resilience in the ring. The boxer from Amman has scheduled a semifinal match against home favorite Weerapon JONGJOHO (THA). The Thai boxer commanded his bout against Jakub STRASZEWSKI (POL). Throughout the match, he displayed remarkable precision and power in his punches. He decisively won both the first and second rounds, with all five judges scoring a 10/9 in his favor. In the third round, JONGJOHO continued his dominance, winning 4:1. His consistent superiority culminated in a 5:0 unanimous decision, showcasing his technical prowess and control over the bout.
In the Men’s 92kg weight category, Loren Berto ALFONSO DOMINGUEZ (AZE) left no chance to Sanjeet SANJEET (IND). The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, Cuban-born but representing Azerbaijan, produced an excellent tactical display to beat the Indian with a controlled 5:0 win.
The action is set to continue tomorrow, June 1, with six more quota places to be awarded. Stay tuned for more thrilling bouts!
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.
