Category: 2023 Pacific Games Honiara (SOL)
Boxing Road to Paris qualification series comes to an end in Bangkok, Thailand.
03/06/2024
The 2nd World Qualification Tournament came to an end in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday, assigning the last 51 quota places at stake in the Boxing Road to Paris qualification series.
The qualification pathway started in 2023, with the European Games, the Asian Games, the Pan American Games, the Pacific Games, and an ad-hoc African qualifier in Dakar serving as continental qualification stages. It then continued in 2024 with two World Qualification Tournaments – in Busto Arsizio, Italy, and Bangkok, Thailand – eventually providing every athlete with up to three different qualification opportunities.
Over 2,000 boxers from 172 NOCs, the Boxing Refugee Team, and Individual Neutral Athletes took part in the Boxing Road to Paris qualification series, totaling 2,115 bouts across seven tournaments in five continents over two years, with 239 quota places awarded. Nine Universality Places are to be confirmed at a later stage, and one additional place will be distributed to the IOC Olympic Refugee Team, completing the lineup of 249 boxers that will compete in the Paris 2024 Boxing Tournament.
Both the Boxing Road to Paris qualification series and the Olympic Games Paris 2024 boxing tournament are sanctioned and organized under the authority of the IOC Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).
The list of qualified athletes is available here: https://boxing.athlete365.org/qualification-system-and-rules/ (scroll down to the “Allocated Paris 2024 Quota Places” section). Bangkok’s 51 quota places will be added once confirmed by the respective NOCs, with the deadline set for 20 June, according to the qualification system.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 Boxing Tournament will run from the 27th of July through the 10th of August and will include 13 different weight categories (7 men’s and 6 women’s). The tournament will be hosted in two venues. The preliminary phases and the first semi-finals will be held at the North Paris Arena from the 27th of July to the 4th of August, while the final phases of the tournament, including all gold medal matches, will take place at the Roland-Garros Stadium from the 6th to the 10th of August. Find the full tournament schedule here: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/boxing .
PBU Event Regulations updated – New version now available for download
15/05/2024
The Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU) “Event Regulations of the Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournaments and the boxing competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024” (the Paris 2024 Event Regulations) have been updated, with the implementation of minor changes and rewordings for the sake of clarity. The latest version of the Rules are available for download here: https://boxing.athlete365.org/qualification-system-and-rules/ . All changes from the previous version are tracked in the document, on page 39.
For context: In line with the mandate from the IOC Executive Board of delivering the Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournaments and the boxing competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Rules and regulations in place for Tokyo 2020 has been used as a baseline to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparation and guarantee consistency between Olympic Games. For the avoidance of doubt, these regulations are applicable only to the competitions under the authority of the PBU, namely the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and its qualification tournaments.”
IOC Statement on CAS decision regarding withdrawal of recognition of IBA
03/04/2024
The IOC welcomes the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which has dismissed the appeal filed with it by the International Boxing Association (IBA) against the IOC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the IBA.
Read the full IOC statement here: https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-statement-on-cas-decision-regarding-withdrawal-of-recognition-of-iba
PACIFIC GAMES WRAP-UP: 13 QUOTA PLACES AWARDED
03/12/2023
The boxing tournament of the 19th Pacific Games hosted in Honiara, Solomon Islands, concluded at the Friendship Hall. Over six intense days, more than 140 exceptional athletes representing 17 countries fiercely competed in 13 weight categories (7 for men, 6 for women) to secure one of the coveted 13 Paris 2024 Olympic quota places up for grabs, each allocated to the winner in their respective weight classes.
Australia’s dominance was striking throughout the competition, leaving an indelible mark by securing an impressive total of 12 Olympic berths. However, amongst their triumph, the tenacious team from Samoa distinguished themselves, emerging victorious in the 92kg weight category and clinching a quota place.
As the continental Olympic qualification phase comes to and end in Honiara, boxers will now have two further opportunities to claim spots for Paris 2024 through two scheduled World Qualification Tournaments next year. The first Boxing Road to Paris world qualifier will be held in Busto Arsizio, Italy, from the 4th to the 11th of March 2024, while the second and last world qualifier is set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from the 26th of May to the 2nd of June 2024.
Stay tuned on https://boxing.athlete365.org for updates on the Boxing Road to Paris!
Photos: https://boxing.athlete365.org/boxing-road-to-paris-2024/2023-oceania-photo-galleries/
Find the medal standings in the ‘Results’ section at the bottom of the page, here.
Paris 2024 Quota Places awarded (13 out of 13) at the Pacific Games, by Event
Women’s 50kg: Monique SURACI (AUS)
Woman’s 54kg: Tiana ECHEGARAY (AUS)
Women’s 57kg: Tina RAHIMI (AUS)
Women’s 60kg: Tyla McDONALD (AUS)
Women’s 66kg: Marissa WILLIAMSON (AUS)
Women’s 75kg: Caitlin PARKER (AUS)
Men’s 51kg: Yusuf CHOTHIA (AUS)
Men’s 57kg: Charlie SENIOR (AUS)
Men’s 63.5kg: Harry GARSIDE (AUS)
Men’s 71kg: Shannan DAVEY (AUS)
Men’s 80kg: Callum PETERS (AUS)
Men’s 92kg: Ato PLODZICKI – FAOAGALI (WMS)
Men’s +92kg: Teremoana TEREMOANA (AUS)
Australia’s Landslide: 6 More Athletes Qualify for Paris as Pacific Games Boxing Tournament Comes to an End
02/12/2023
After six days of fierce competition at Honiara’s Friendship Hall, the boxing tournament of the 2023 Pacific Games hosted in the Solomon Islands came to an end today.
Australia’s landslide success continued. After winning 6 out of 7 finals yesterday, Aussie boxers claimed six out of six today, securing 12 out of 13 Paris 2024 quota places.
In the women’s 50kg event, it was Monique Suraci who led the opening bout with a clear edge in rounds 1 and 2, controlling her opponent Tasmyn Te Aorere Hovell Benny of New Zealand throughout round 3, and eventually finishing on top with a perfect 5-0 score worth an Olympic berth.
“This means the world to me,” she said right after stepping down from the ring. “I started when I was 6 years old; I had my first fight at 10. It has been a long journey, but now I am here. I did it! This victory is for me. It’s for the 6-year-old me that got into boxing with a dream to get to the Olympics. Today, I’ve accomplished that dream; we did it, baby!”
Her teammate Tina Rahimi followed swiftly, as she outscored Tonga’s Feofaaki Epenisa in the women’s 57kg final match to secure a Paris 2024 qualification slot with another commanding unanimous decision.
Rahimi said, “I can’t wait to go to Paris. I think I have never been so nervous in my athlete’s life before. I felt a lot of pressure after 7 out of 8 teammates qualified between yesterday and earlier today,” she added. “I really didn’t want to be the one not to qualify, and now that I made it, I can’t wait to be there.”
In the men’s 51kg final, Yusuf Chothia shattered Solomon Islands’ Olympic dreams as he beat local hero Clinton Tetekana, who had made it all the way to the final through the tournament accompanied by enthusiastic supporters. Leading rounds 1 and 2 and taking little risks in round 3, the Australian finalist collected a unanimous decision win that propelled him to Paris.
“Going up against a local athlete, with the Solomon Islands crowd all for him, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. At the same time, I was confident in my boxing skills, and thank God I made it.”
“I am going to Paris; that’s amazing. I would like to thank all who supported me, my family, my wife… We’re going to Paris, my love!”
Joining him on that plane, there will be Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Harry Garside, securing a ticket to Paris in the men’s 63.5kg event as his opponent Elia Rokobuli from Fiji walked over due to a hand injury, and Shannan Davey, who outscored New Zealand’s Wendell Stanley in the men’s 71kg final match.
Closing in style, it was men’s +92kg champion Teremoana Teremoana who completed Australia’s success by collecting the last quota place up for grabs by defeating Samoa’s Elijah Mercury-Leafa, outpowering him and leading the referee to stop the contest 1 minute and 52 seconds into round 2.
“I am really happy with the decision of the judges here,” Teremoana said, after winning all his Pacific Games bouts by Referee Stop the Contest (RSC), displaying unmatched superiority in his weight class. “I met many good boxers here, and I know there are more qualifiers to come, so maybe I will meet them again in Paris.”
After the bout, Teremoana performed a traditional haka dance on the ring, welcomed by both the Australian team and thousands of spectators from all over the Pacific crowding the Friendship Hall.
“My heritage is the Cook Islands; it means a lot to me because we are at the Pacific Games, and I just wanted to demonstrate a bit of the culture I have inherited. I am proud of Australia, and I am proud of my culture.”
“My name, Teremoana, is a Polynesian name that means ‘boat’ and ‘Ocean,’ because we are people who cross the Ocean. The Ocean is in my name, and winning here I really feel I represent the whole Oceania.”
“I was always confident I was going to go to the Olympics. And now it’s real.”
As Teremoana prepares to cross yet another ocean on his way to Paris, lights fade out on the ring of the Pacific Games.
The tournament, serving as the boxing continental qualifier for the Oceania continent, comes to an end and also closes the continental phase of the Boxing Road to Paris qualification system.
Two more world qualification opportunities will be available to athletes from all continents in 2024. The 1st Boxing Road to Paris qualifiers will be held in Busto Arsizio, Italy, from the 29th of February to the 12th of March 2024, while the second and last world qualifier will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from the 23rd of May to the 3rd of June.
Stay tuned on https://boxing.athlete365.org for updates on the Boxing Road to Paris!
Australia Claims 6 Out of 7 Olympic Quotas on the First Finals Day in Honiara. Samoa Wins the Crowd, and 1 Quota
01/12/2023
The Boxing Road to Paris Oceania qualification tournament, hosted as part of the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara (SOL), awarded the first seven Paris 2024 quota places today out of a total of 13 qualification slots at stake.
The finals day swiftly turned into a dominant performance for Team Australia, placing seven boxers in seven finals and eventually claiming six out of the seven Olympic berths available.
In the first match of the day, Australia’s Tiana Echegaray secured the women’s 54kg Paris 2024 quota place, defeating Hainite Tuitupou from Tonga with a perfect score of 5 points to 0. Tiana expressed her excitement, stating, “It feels tremendous, incredible! I just want to thank my team, my family, and my partner. I can’t believe it!”
Teammate Tyla McDonald followed suit, claiming Australia’s second quota place of the day in the women’s 60kg final against New Zealand’s Erin Elizabeth Walsh. After a slow start, McDonald triumphed with a split decision of 4 to 1, expressing excitement for the upcoming Olympics. She added, “I can’t believe I have done that. It has been an unbelievable year, and I am now looking forward to Paris. I am going home and I can’t wait to celebrate with my family.” Regarding the final match, she confirmed, “The final match has been tough. She came out really strong, and I had to work hard in the last round. So, I am really happy with how it ended. I will now train as hard as I can for the Olympics, next year.”
Marissa Williamson added to Australia’s success with a 4:1 victory against New Zealand’s Cara Simone Wharerau in the women’s 66kg final, securing another ticket to Paris. Williamson expressed her joy, saying, “It feels amazing. This is my first Olympic cycle and my first major competition after being in the sport for four years, and I come out of it with a ticket to Paris. This is great!”
“The universe must be doing me a favor today,” she added. “I dislocated my knee two weeks ago while training, and I am glad I could get through a final.”
“It all started in a little gym in the western suburbs of Melbourne four years ago,” continued Marissa, “I was a little foster kid causing a bit of trouble at school, and I was sent to this gym. It took over my life and honestly saved me.”
“I am the very first Aboriginal woman to qualify for the Olympics in the sport of boxing. This is change-making. I am gonna go back home and celebrate with my community, my family, my loved ones. And then I will have to go to rehab for my knee to get ready for Paris.”
Caitlin Parker continued Australia’s winning streak by outscoring New Zealand’s Deanne Shontel Te-Paea Read by points, 5:0, and claiming the women’s 75kg Olympic berth. Parker said, “I am going to the Olympics for the second time after Tokyo. I am the first Australian woman to do so. It’s a massive blessing. This is going to be so much different from Tokyo.”
“The last Games were a massive learning experience for me. Going to the Games was a childhood dream of mine, the happiest day of my life. To go there and not do what I wanted to do has been a bit heartbreaking.”
“I won’t make some mistakes again,” she added. “I am going to Paris with a new hunger, to show the world what I am capable of.”
Moving on to the men’s divisions, it was Charlie Senior who claimed victory in the men’s 57kg final, defeating Allan Oaike from Papua New Guinea with a unanimous decision. Senior expressed his elation, saying, “My dreams come true, as an athlete. It means the world for me, as I made my family proud. I have been waiting a whole four years for this moment to come. Now I am going to double up, work harder, work 110%, to prepare for Paris.” In the men’s 80kg weight class, his teammate Callum Peters from Australia secured a commanding 5:0 score to defeat Roman Viney from Tonga and claim Australia’s sixth Olympic quota.
It was Samoa’s Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali who broke Australia’s dominance today. The men’s 92kg boxer put on a show of power and resilience in his final bout against the seventh Australian finalist of the day, Adrian Paoletti. Judges scored round 1 to the Australian, and round 2 to the Samoan, turning round 3 into a final within the final. It was then that the local crowd picked Plodzicki-Faoagali, and supported him blow after blow, lifting him atop the podium, the only non-Australian winner of the day.
Plodzicki-Faoagali said, “This is going to be my second time at the Olympics, I earned my ticket. The crowd here has been great. I enjoyed a lot of support, even from other teams; all islands were supporting me, I really appreciated it.”
“This puts Samoa and all the islands on the map. I went into the fight without thinking about the other bouts of the day. I concentrated on myself. I had to do what I had to do. Through the match, I knew I lost the first round, but I came out strong in the second, and in round three, I finished him off.”
A total of 13 quota places – one in each Olympic category (7 men’s, 6 women’s) – are up for grabs in Honiara, where athletes from 17 countries have been pursuing their Olympic dreams since November 27. After five days of intense competition between the ropes, the tournament will come to an end tomorrow, December 2, when the last six quota places will be distributed in the women’s 50 and 57kg divisions and in the men’s 51kg, 63.5kg, 71kg, and +92kg weight classes. For additional information and the results of the non-Olympic boxing weight classes contested during the tournament, check the official website of the 2023 Pacific Games at https://sol2023.gems.pr
Pacific Games Finalists’ Line-up Completed in Honiara. Boxers One Bout Away from Qualifying for Paris 2024
30/11/2023
The 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, are in full swing, showcasing more than 140 boxers from 17 countries who gathered around the ring of Honiara’s Friendship Hall. On day 4 of the boxing tournament – serving as the Paris 2024 continental qualifier for Oceania – 11 semifinal bouts took place, finalizing the line-up for the 13 Olympic events’ final rounds. The winner in each weight class will be granted a Paris 2024 Quota place, a qualification slot for the next Olympic Games.
The day commenced with one of the quickest bouts of the tournament. It only took 1 minute and 11 seconds for New Zealand’s Tasmyn Te Aorere Hovell Benny to stun her opponent Costance Abana, from the Solomon Islands, chilling thousands of local spectators crowding the otherwise overheated Friendship Arena. Benny qualified for the women’s 50kg final to be held on December 2, where she will go up against Australia’s Monique Suraci.
Minutes later, the same home crowd made a significant difference in the men’s 51kg semifinal featuring local idol Clinton Tetekana. Chanting and cheering, Solomon Island’s supporters boosted Tetekana’s effort, blow after blow. Relentlessly attacking his opponent – Fiji’s Nehal Chand – in a display of sheer power, Tetekana took the lead since round 1, then collecting a series of commanding 10-8s in round 2, to eventually claim victory by unanimous decision. Tetekana will now carry the Solomon Islands’ flag into the final match, where he will face and attempt to defeat Australia’s Yusuf Chothia to pursue his Olympic dream.
Australia’s Tina Rahimi and Tonga’s Feofaaki Epenisa emerged as the winners of the two women’s 57kg semifinals, and are now destined for a final match in two days. On their way to the final, Rahimi beat New Zealand’s Jennifer Clare Peters, winning the votes of all 5 judges to secure a unanimous decision victory. Epenisa, on her side, shattered Kiribati’s hopes by outdoing Teretia Toauriri via a 5:0 decision.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist and 2018 Commonwealth champion Harry Garside, from Australia, outpowered Solomon Islands’ Pemberton Lele in the men’s 63.5kg class, leading with apparent ease in the first two rounds, forcing his opponent into a standing count more than once, and eventually leading Lele’s corner to throw in the towel. Garside, a clear favorite in his weight division, is set to meet Fiji’s Elia Rokobuli, who put on a show of dodging and counterpunching that earned him a 3:2 win against New Zealand’s Kalani Hemi Marra today.
New Zealand’s Wendell Stanley made it to the men’s 71kg final via a unanimous decision win against Nauru’s Lachlan Halstead, booking a spot in the division’s final against Australia’s Shannan Davey, who also advanced through a 5:0 win against Tonga’s Taufa Lavemaau.
One punch can change the outcome of a bout. And this happened once again at today’s men’s +92kg semifinal: New Zealand’s Patrick Mailata led in rounds 1 and 2, winning most of the judges’ votes as he kept on hammering powerful punches on his opponent, Samoa’s Elijah Mercury-Leafa. But 1 minute and 39 seconds into round 3, Mercury-Leafa threw that one punch: a fast, strong, effective hook that grounded Mailata. The referee counted, stopped the contest, and sent the Samoan into the final. There, Mercury-Leafa will meet one of the favorites, Australia’s Teremoana Teremoana – who cleared his semifinal bout by beating Tonga’s Amato Mataika in the first round – in a stellar match that will decide who’s going to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The finals phase of the tournament kicks off tomorrow, with the first seven gold medals – and the first seven quota places – to be distributed to the best boxers. Keep up with the latest news on https://boxing.athletes365.org . For additional information and results of the non-Olympic boxing weight classes contested at the tournament, check the official website of the 2023 Pacific Games at https://sol2023.gems.pro.
Finalists Emerge in 6 Weight Classes at the Boxing Road to Paris Oceania Qualifier in Honiara (SOL)
29/11/2023
Twelve semifinal matches in 6 Olympic weight categories unfolded at the boxing tournament of the 2023 Pacific Games, today.
The tournament, hosted at the “Friendship Hall” in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from November 27th to December 2nd, serves as a Boxing Road to Paris continental qualification event for the Oceania region. Comprising 25 different weight categories, including the 13 Olympic weight categories (7 men’s, 6 women’s weight classes), this competition offers 13 Paris 2024 Olympic quota places, the coveted qualification slots for the next Games, that will be distributed to the winners of each Olympic weight class.
Commencing day-3, Australia’s Tiana Echegaray secured a spot in the women’s 54kg final match by winning the weight category’s semifinal against New Zealand’s Christine Claire Gillespie with a unanimous decision, bringing her one step closer to the 2024 quota place. On her journey to Paris, she is set to face Hainiete Tuitupou of Tonga in the Pacific Games final round on December 1. Tuitupou, in turn, advanced to the medal match by defeating Jennifer D. Chieng of Micronesia with a commanding 5:0 score today.
In the women’s 60kg event, Tyla McDonald from Australia met and defeated Samoa’s Baby Nansen with a 5:0 on-point decision, securing her place in the final match in two days. There, she will face Erin Elizabeth Walsh of New Zealand, who qualified by stunning Tonga’s Elizabeth Teaupa in just 1 minute and 41 seconds into round 1 of their semifinal match.
New Zealand’s Te-Paea Shontel Deanne Read outclassed Samoa’s Tilomai Lafaialii as the referee stopped the contest 1 minute and 17 seconds into round one of their women’s 75kg fight. Read is now eyeing a 2024 Olympic quota place, but to secure a ticket to Paris, she will have to overcome a tough final match against Australia’s Caitlin Parker, who prevailed over Tonga’s Eseta Flint via a 4:1 split decision win.
Alla Oaike from Papua New Guinea stunned Solomon Islands’ Ron Enoch Taniveke in the first men’s 57kg semifinal of the day. Taniveke tried his best to resist the relentless charges of Oaike, supported by thousands of spectators here on his home turf, but amid round three, and after three standing counts, the referee decided to stop the contest. Oaike moves on in the brackets and is now set to meet Australia’s Charlie Senior, who beat New Zealand’s Alex Mukuka by unanimous decision.
Roman Viney from Tonga claimed victory against Jolando Taala from Samoa in the first men’s 80kg semifinal of the day, securing a 5:0 score at the end of a fierce bout. In the final, he will go up against Australia’s Callum Peters, who outscored Fiji’s Aminiasi Saribay 5 points to 0.
In the men’s 92kg semifinal, Samoa’s Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali outpowered Michael Schuster of Cook Islands, pushing his corner to throw the towel amid round 2. The Samoan boxer is now up for a final match against Australia’s Adrian Paoletti, who emerged on top from his bout against Preston Malcolm Matthes of New Zealand by unanimous decision.
The tournament, which runs from November 27th to December 2nd and sees more than 140 athletes from 17 countries competing, will continue this afternoon with non-Olympic weight classes fights, while Olympic events will resume tomorrow, November 29. For comprehensive information and full results, including non-Olympic weight classes, please refer to the official 2023 Pacific Games website at https://www.sol2023.com.sb/.
Honiara’s Day-2: Quarterfinals in Progress at the Pacific Games
28/11/2023
The boxing tournament of the Pacific Games continued today in Honiara, Solomon Islands, with the quarterfinals in full swing. A total of 22 bouts, including 13 quarterfinals in Olympic categories, unfolded on November 28 at the “Friendship Hall” venue.
In the first of today’s four men’s 63.5kg quarterfinals, a compelling rematch took place between two Tokyo 2020 Olympians: Ume John of Papua New Guinea and Australia’s Harry Garside, who had previously met at the Kokugikan Arena on July 25, 2021, during the Tokyo Games’ round of 16. Two years later, Garside showcased a display of speed and technical prowess, effectively countering John’s power to secure a decisive 5:0 victory, just like two years ago in Tokyo.
Next in line in the tournament, Garside is slated to face Solomon Islands’ Pemberton Lele, who garnered the acclaim of the home crowd by convincingly defeating Alexander Eliam Jr. of the Federated States of Micronesia with a flawless 5:0 score earlier today.
In the same weight category, New Zealand’s Kalani Hemi Marra displayed his prowess by defeating Lautofa Lutu from Samoa, prompting the referee to halt the contest in the midst of round 3 after a standing count. In the subsequent stage of the tournament, Marra is set to contend with Fiji’s Elia Rokobuli, who also advanced through the competition via a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) against Nauru’s Mathew Martin.
In the first men’s 71kg quarterfinal of the day, Nauru’s Lachlan Halstead secured victory over Tuvalu’s Fiu Tui with a unanimous decision, earning a spot in the semifinals against Wendell Stanley from New Zealand. Stanley, in turn, delivered an impressive performance by giving two standing counts to local hero Dicks Lio from Solomon Island, ultimately leading to the referee stopping the contest at the end of round 2.
In the same category, Australia’s Shannan Davey triumphed over Tawhirimatea Toheriri-Hallet from the Cook Islands with a 4:1 split decision. Davey is now poised to face Tonga’s Taufa Laveaau, who outscored American Samoa’s Losifafo Tunoa with a unanimous decision.
In the men’s +92kg weight class, it took just 1:58 minutes for New Zealand’s Patrick Mailata to clinch victory in his quarterfinal match against American Samoa’s Jadan Liu. Mailata’s strategic pursuit and effective cornering culminated in a powerful combination that brought Liu to the ground, propelling Mailata into the semifinals. Also Samoa’s Elijah Mercury-Leafa exhibited remarkable efficiency by securing victory in just 1:47 minutes in his bout against Kiribati’s Beeni Roubena. The referee intervened, stopping the contest in the first round after Roubena received three standing counts in less than two minutes. The upcoming semifinal clash between Mailata and Mercury-Leafa promises to be a highlight of the tournament.
Australia’s Teremoana Teremoana gained the quickest win of the day, triumphing over his opponent Jerry Leo (SOL) in a mere 1 minute and 18 seconds. Teremoana’s commanding performance prompted Leo’s corner to throw in the towel at the first count. Teremoana is now on a collision course with Tonga’s Amato Mataika on the path to the men’s +92 final match and Olympic quota, following Mataika’s securing a spot in the semifinals with an RSC result against Tuvalu’s A’asa Alapati Jr. in round three of an energetically contested bout.
In the men’s 51kg weight category, Australia’s Yusuf Chotia secured victory over Kiribati’s Eriu Temakau with a unanimous decision, earning a place in the semifinals where he will face Papua New Guinea’s Charles Keama (bye).
With more than 140 athletes from 17 countries participating in the boxing tournament of the 2023 Pacific Games across 25 different weight categories, including 13 Olympic weight categories, the competition serves as the Oceania continental qualifier for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. A total of 13 quota places will be distributed during the tournament, to the winners of each Olympic category.
The tournament, running from November 27th to December 2nd, will resume tomorrow, November 29. For comprehensive information and full results, including non-Olympic weight classes, please refer to the official 2023 Pacific Games website at https://www.sol2023.com.sb/. Stay tuned for further updates!
Boxing Road to Paris Oceania Qualifier Day-1: 140 Athletes at the Starting Blocks
27/11/2023
The boxing tournament of the 17th Pacific Games kicked off today in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. More than 140 athletes from 17 countries are set to meet in the ring of the newly-built “Friendship Hall” venue, competing in 25 different weight categories, including 13 Olympic weight categories. The tournament serves as the Oceania continental qualifier for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with 13 quota places to be distributed to the winners of each Olympic category.
In the first round of the tournament, Australia’s Tyla McDonald overpowered the Solomon Islands’ Tracy Koputu in less than two minutes, winning the first women’s 60kg match of the Pacific Games as her opponent abandoned 1:38 minutes into the match and advanced to the semifinal where she will meet Baby Nansen of Samoa (bye).
In the men’s 57kg category, Papua New Guinea’s Allan Oaike beat Vanuatu’s Lionel Boe Warawara on points, with a 4:1 split decision. Advancing in the tournament, he will go up against local medal hope Ron Enoch Taniveke, competing on his home turf here in the Solomon Islands.
In the same weight category, New Zealand’s Alex Mukuka advanced to the semifinals as he outscored Nauru’s Christon Amram with a neat 5:0 unanimous decision win. There, he will meet Australia’s Charlie Senior, who moved on in the brackets as David Rounds of Tonga walked over.
In the men’s 80kg weight division, Tonga’s Roman Viney outscored New Zealand’s Emile Richardson via a 3:2 split decision, moving on to the semifinal, where he will meet Jolando Taala of Samoa. In the same category, Fiji’s Aminiasi Saratibau knocked out John Kaloka of the Solomon Islands amid round one of their quarterfinal match (KO, R1 2:42). In two days, he will meet Callum Peters of Australia (who advanced through a bye) in the semifinal.
In the men’s 92kg class, Samoa’s Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali cleared the quarterfinal match as his opponent Peniteekosi Tatafu from Tonga was disqualified 1:10 minutes into round 3, setting up a semifinal match appointment with Michael Schuster of the Cook Islands (bye). In the category’s other semifinal, New Zealand’s Malcolm Preston Matthes will go up against Adrian Paoletti of Australia.
For more information and full results, including non-Olympic weight classes, check the official 2023 Pacific Games website at https://www.sol2023.com.sb/.
The tournament, held in Honiara (SOL) from November 27th to December 2nd, will resume tomorrow, with 25 more bouts to be contested. Stay tuned!
17th Pacific Games Kick-off in Honiara (SOL): 13 Boxing Quota Places Up for Grabs
26/11/2023
Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, is gearing up to host the Oceania Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament, marking the fifth stage of the Boxing Road to Paris 2024. As an integral part of the 17th Pacific Games, this boxing showdown will determine the the elite boxers from Oceania who will earn their coveted spots at the upcoming Olympic Games.
Set within the Friendship Hall, a newly built international standard multipurpose indoor sports facility, more than 140 athletes from 17 nations will converge to display their prowess. From November 27th to December 2nd, the venue will witness fierce competition across 13 Olympic weight categories (and 12 non-Olympic categories), as boxers will compete to secure one of the 13 Paris 2024 Olympic quota places up for grabs there, one for each event’s winner (6 for women and 7 for men).
Among the boxers preparing to leave a mark on this event, several athletes to watch have emerged, each ready to impress with their exceptional skills and determination. Here’s a look at some this notable athletes:
Harry Garside, an Olympic bronze medalist, is a part of the 13-member Australian boxing squad selected for the upcoming Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. The 26-year-old boxer previously clinched a podium finish in the men’s lightweight division during Tokyo 2020 and secured the Commonwealth Games title in Gold Coast 2018. Becoming the first Australian in over three decades to earn an Olympic boxing medal by claiming bronze at the Tokyo Games, Garside is anticipated to be a formidable contender in the Men’s 63.5kg class.
Caitlin Parker, a 27-year-old middleweight athlete hailing from Western Australia, arrives at the Pacific Games with a remarkable record, having secured podium positions twice at the Commonwealth Games. With a history as a Tokyo Olympian, there’s high anticipation that she will secure her spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Team New Zealand presents a formidable twelve-member squad, comprising six notably experienced boxers, including Tasmyn BENNY (Women’s 50kg), Erin Elizabeth WALSH (Women’s 60kg), Alex MUKUKA (Men’s 57kg), Wendell STANLEY (Men’s 71kg), Emile RICHARDSON (Men’s 80kg), and Patrick MAILATA (Men’s +92kg), all of whom have exhibited their prowess at the Commonwealth Games.
Honiara will welcome several medalists from the 2019 Pacific Games, each with the dual objectives of defending their titles and securing coveted Olympic quota places. Notable among them are Nauru’s Christon AMRAM in the Men’s 57kg category, Papua New Guinea’s John UME (Men’s 63.5kg), Samoa’s Ato PLODZICKI-FAOAGALI (Men’s 92kg), and Federated States of Micronesia’s Jennifer CHIENG (Women’s 54kg). These exceptional athletes bring both experience and determination, aiming to maintain their dominance in their respective weight divisions while also eyeing qualification for the upcoming Olympics.
The Oceania Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament stands as the final continental opportunity to secure berths for Paris 2024. However, the pursuit of Olympic tickets doesn’t end there, as two World Qualifiers are scheduled for the next year: the first world qualification tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy – from March 4th to 11th, 2024, will allocate 49 quota places (21 Women and 28 Men). The second world qualification tournament will take place in Bangkok, Thailand – from May 23rd to June 3rd, 2024.
Boxing Road to Paris: Host Cities and Dates of 2024 World Qualifiers Unveiled
25/08/2023The Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU) has officially announced the host cities and the dates for the two World Qualification Tournaments, where boxers from around the globe will compete for a spot at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The first world qualification tournament will take place in Busto Arsizio, Italy – from 29 February to 12 March, 2024. The event will allocate 49 quota places (21 Women and 28 Men).
The second world qualification tournament will be held in Bangkok, Thailand – from 23 May to 3 June, 2024. By the end of the tournament, the remaining 51 quotas places will be awarded and the boxing qualification period for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be finalized.
The two World Qualification Tournaments ensure that each National Olympic Committee (NOC) will have up to three qualification opportunities on their Boxing Road to Paris.
As per the Paris 2024 Qualification System for Boxing, NOCs will only be able to enter athletes at the World Qualification Tournaments in the specific weight categories where they have not yet been allocated and confirmed a quota place.
For more details regarding the Boxing Road to Paris qualification pathway, please refer to the Qualification System (link).
IOC Executive Board recommends to IOC Session to withdraw recognition of International Boxing Association
08/06/2023The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today recommended to the IOC Session to withdraw recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA), in accordance with Rule 3.7 of the Olympic Charter (OC).
Find the full news on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website, here https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-executive-board-recommends-to-ioc-session-to-withdraw-recognition-of-international-boxing-association
Paris 2024 boxing qualification system to achieve a fair process for all NOCs
06/12/2022The delivery model for the Paris 2024 Olympic boxing competition and Olympic boxing qualifiers was discussed today by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Designed by the IOC in close collaboration with boxing experts, the Olympic qualification system focuses on:
- Achieving a fair process for all NOCs – with the same number of qualification events available to their boxers, regardless of weight category;
- An increased number of qualification opportunities in comparison to Tokyo 2020;
- Retaining the Athlete Eligibility Criteria successfully used in the Tokyo 2020 boxing qualification system;
- Reviewing the quota place distribution per weight category in comparison to the International Boxing Association (IBA)’s proposal; and
- Reviewing the quota place distribution per qualification tournament in comparison to IBA’s proposal.
The new qualification system was approved by the IOC EB in September and is based on direct qualification through selected competitions, including the use of NOC regional multisport events as Olympic boxing qualification tournaments. Following the continental phase of the quota place allocation, two world qualification tournaments are planned to be held in 2024, with the goal of providing a balance in terms of geographical opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Details can be found here.
This process puts boxers first, reducing the complexity of the qualification process by using existing regional events and giving up to three qualification opportunities, ultimately achieving a fair and equal pathway for all boxers.
The “Paris 2024 Boxing Event Regulations” for the qualification tournaments and the Olympic Games are due to be published as early as possible in 2023.
With regard to anti-doping, the testing at the Olympic qualification tournaments will be carried out in addition to IBA’s existing programme, in close collaboration with the International Testing Agency (ITA).
New boxing qualification system approved for Paris 2024
08/09/2022A new boxing qualification system for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was approved by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today after a full update on the situation of boxing, including governance issues within the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Boxers’ pathway to Paris 2024 approved
After deciding last June that the boxing qualifying events and competitions for Paris 2024 would not be run under the authority of the IBA, the IOC EB was presented with an additional qualification model, which was approved during its meeting in Lausanne.
Designed by the IOC in close collaboration with boxing experts, the new qualification system is based on direct qualification through selected competitions, including the use of National Olympic Committee (NOC) regional multisport events as Olympic boxing qualification tournaments. The responsibility for the boxing competitions in the following events will therefore not lie with the IBA, and alternative arrangements will be put in place with the respective event organisers:
- Pan-American Games – Santiago 2023
- European Games – Krakow 2023
- Pacific Games – Honiara 2023
- Asian Games – Hangzhou 2022 (taking place in 2023)
- ANOCA (Africa) multisport event to be confirmed
Following the continental phase of the quota place allocation, two world qualification tournaments are planned to be held in 2024.
The new Olympic qualification process puts boxers first, lowering the complexity of the qualification process by using existing regional events and giving up to three qualification opportunities, ultimately achieving a fair and equal pathway for all boxers.
Remaining concerns over IBA
The various IOC concerns around the governance of the IBA, including the refereeing and judging process and the IBA’s financial dependency on the state-owned company Gazprom, are still ongoing.
The IOC EB today received a report on the issues related to competition management and refereeing and judging processes highlighted by independent experts during the boxing competition at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
It also noted that no clear efforts have been made by the IBA to respect and fully implement the roadmap set out by the IOC EB in December 2021 with regard to the IBA’s governance.
As a consequence, the IOC EB has sent a letter to the IBA informing it of the IOC’s ongoing grave concern. Boxing is currently not included in the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and, considering the absence of any real evolution, the IOC Executive Board is not in a position to reverse its decision. This letter will be shared with the NOCs and national boxing federations.
IOC EB: IBA not in position to run qualifying events and boxing competitions for Paris 2024
24/06/2022In the interest of the athletes and the boxing community, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that the boxing qualifying events and competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will not be run under the authority of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The decision is centred on the athletes and the need to provide certainty on the Olympic competitions and qualifications leading to Paris 2024. It follows the continuing and very concerning issues of the IBA, such as its governance and its refereeing and judging system.
The IOC administration will finalise on an exceptional basis alternative models for the organisation of these boxing competitions, working closely with the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and athletes’ representatives. The outcomes of these discussions and suggested recommendations will then be presented to the IOC EB in due course.
Whether or not boxing will be included on the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 will be discussed at a later stage.
Continuing concerns
The various IOC concerns around the governance of the IBA, including the refereeing and judging process and its financial dependency on the state-owned company Gazprom, are still ongoing.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced on 14 June 2022 that the decision of the IBA Interim Nominations Unit, which had deemed the presidential candidate Boris van der Vorst and three other electoral candidates ineligible for election the day prior to the scheduled IBA elections, had been overturned. The CAS arbitrator accepted the request that they be reinstated as eligible candidates. Furthermore, the CAS stated that Umar Kremlev had committed the same rule violation yet had been admitted to the election as the sole candidate.
With regard to the planned IBA qualification pathway to Paris 2024, the IOC EB noted that no host-city agreements had been signed for the qualification competitions and that there was an insufficient number of certified referees and judges to deliver the planned events.
Background information
Following an investigation and report by an IOC Inquiry Committee in 2019, recognition of the International Boxing Association (at that time still called AIBA) was suspended by the IOC. This suspension is still in force today. Following the suspension, the IOC created a special Task Force with the remit to deliver the qualification events for the boxing tournament at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Led by IOC Member and President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Morinari Watanabe, the Boxing Task Force delivered a clear, fair and transparent pathway for boxers to qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and ensured a fair and just competition, both on the road to Tokyo and at the Games.
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