The Boxing Road to Paris Africa Qualification Tournament commenced today in Dakar, Senegal, featuring 235 athletes from 42 nations. The event, running from September 9th to September 15th (with a day-off on September 12th), is a pivotal moment for boxers from across the continent who are vying for the 18 Paris 2024 quota places, with 11 spots available for women and 7 for men.
The tournament is organized by the National Olympic Committee of Senegal at the Dakar Arena in Diamniadio and is sanctioned by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). On the opening day, a total of 48 bouts took place, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling competition.
Women’s 50kg
The action began with Tanzania’s Yusufu Zulfa Macho securing the first victory of the tournament in the women’s 50kg category, defeating Uganda’s Grace Nankinjga in a commanding 5-0 decision. She is now poised to face Nigeria’s Omowunmi Adeola Oysiji in the round of 16, as Oysiji advanced with a bye. Meanwhile, Morocco’s Yasmine Mouttaki triumphed with an unanimous decision over Helena Bagao from Mozambique, setting up a clash with South Africa’s Thandolwethu Truelove Mathiba in the round of 16.
Roumaysa Boulam from Algeria and Janet Acquah from Ghana also emerged victorious in their respective bouts and are set to face Namibia’s Ndapandula Peyehafo Ngesheya and Benedicte Diyoka of the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively, in the next round.
Men’s 51kg
In the Men’s 51kg category, Tanzania’s Abdallah Abdallah Mohamed secured his first victory in the tournament by defeating Lenick Patrick Gomes Fernandes from Cape Verde by a score of 4 to 1. His next challenge will be Egypt’s Abdallah Saied Nasser Mou Emam. Four more bouts took place in this event class on the opening day, paving the way for the round of 16 scheduled for September 11th.
Men’s 71kg
The home crowd in Dakar erupted in joy as Senegal’s Alphonse Junior Antoine Mendy, the first Senegalese boxer to step into the ring, triumphed with a 4-1 victory over Ethiopia’s Daniel Abenezer Esebo in the men’s 71kg category. Mendy is now poised to face Guinea Bissau’s Armand Bighafa Bigate Naaé in the round of 16.
Tiago Osorio Muxanga of Mozambique, one of the most anticipated athletes of the tournament in the same weight class, secured an emphatic unanimous 5-0 decision in his match against Alfred Kotey of Ghana. Although Kotey showed promise at the end of round 1, Muxanga clearly outclassed him in rounds two and three, showcasing an irresistible combination of power and technique that left no chance for his opponent. Advancing further in the tournament, he is now set to face Seychelles’ Boniface Shain Barnsley, who earned his spot with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Sekou Doumbia of Ivory Coast.
In this same event, South Africa’s Simnikiwe Bongco, Cape Verde’s Bruno Miguel Fernandes De Barros, Albert Mengue Ayissi of Cameroon, Egypt’s Omar Elsayed Ragab Elawad Elawady, Kenya’s Mogunde Maina Boniface, and Abiola Fatai Moshood also progressed, setting the stage for thrilling matchups in the next phase of the tournament.
Men’s 92kg and Men’s +92kg
In the Men’s 92kg category, Mali’s Maxime Mohamed Coulibaly secured a decisive 5-0 victory, while Algeria’s Mourad Kadi triumphed in the Men’s +92kg with a victory by referee stoppage. The quarterfinals for the Men’s +92kg will take place on September 13th, promising more intense action in the days ahead.
Men’s 80kg
Senegal’s Seydina Mouhamed Konate thrilled the home crowd with a resounding 4-0 victory over Ghana’s Seth Gyimah in the Men’s 80kg category. In the same weight class, boxers from Algeria, Egypt, and Namibia also secured victories, setting the stage for their future clashes in the tournament.
Men’s 57kg and Women’s 60kg
The evening session featured 26 athletes competing in the men’s 57kg event preliminaries, shaping the round of 16 set for Monday, September 11th. In the women’s 60kg category, six bouts determined the quarterfinals scheduled for September 13th.
The Africa qualification tournament in Dakar will continue tomorrow, with the first session starting at 12:00 (Senegal time).
Stay tuned for the latest updates, photos, and results, all of which will be available on the Athlete 365 Boxing Corner website at boxing.athlete365.org.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the final phase of the tournament from September 13th to 15th, with all matches broadcasted live by the Olympic Channel.
