The IOC Boxing Task Force mourns the loss of Raj Kumar Sacheti

05/05/2021

Lausanne, 05 May 2021 – It is with deep sadness that the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) learned the shocking news that the Boxing Federation of India’s Executive Director, Raj Kumar Sacheti, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 56.

Mr. Sacheti was an active member of the IOC Boxing Task Force Experts Group since its creation in 2019 and he contributed greatly to the implementation of the BTF’s mission through his experience and passion for the sport. 

The Chairman of the IOC Boxing Task Force, Mr. Morinari Watanabe, said: “We mourn the loss not only of an experienced sport leader, but also of a good friend and true supporter of the Olympic Movement. The premature departure of Raj Kumar Sacheti certainly creates a huge void in the sports world and in the boxing community.”

“In the name of the International Olympic Committee and of the IOC Boxing Task Force, we would like to express our deepest condolences and most sincere sympathy to the Indian Olympic Association, the Boxing Federation of India, the boxing community of India, and the family of Mr. Sacheti,” continued Mr.  Watanabe. “His dedication, passion, and restless efforts for the development of the sport and the implementation of the Olympic values will not be forgotten.”

Novedades sobre el Clasificatorio de Boxeo de América para Tokyo 2020 en Buenos Aires

15/04/2021

Lausana, 15 de abril de 2021 – El Grupo de Trabajo sobre Boxeo del COI (BTF) ha estado monitoreando la situación en Argentina y América antes del Clasificatorio de Boxeo de América para Tokyo 2020, que estaba previsto en Buenos Aires (Argentina) del 10 al 16 de mayo de 2021. 

En las últimas semanas, se han venido adoptando restricciones de viaje y cuarentenas en toda la región, lo que ha perturbado considerablemente los viajes internacionales y ha planteado problemas logísticos a los equipos que viajan hacia y desde Buenos Aires, lo que dificulta la posibilidad de participar en el torneo. 

Puesto que se trata de un clasificatorio olímpico con un número importante de plazas (49) para los Juegos Olímpicos Tokyo 2020, es sumamente importante garantizar un acceso equitativo y la seguridad de todos los atletas y oficiales, en consonancia con los principios que han guiado la labor del BTF, que sigue comprometido a garantizar un proceso de clasificación olímpica justo y equitativo, ofrecer certeza a los atletas y darles suficiente tiempo para prepararse para Tokyo 2020, sin menoscabo de la salud y la seguridad de los atletas.

Lamentablemente, la situación actual de la región no ofrece las garantías necesarias para que estos principios se cumplan en el torneo previsto en Buenos Aires.

Por ello, tras una exhaustiva evaluación y diversas consultas con equipos, embajadores de los atletas del BTF y expertos en boxeo, así como con el Comité Organizador Local, el BTF ha decidido cancelar el torneo de clasificación y reestructurar el proceso de clasificación de América para Tokyo 2020.

Se estudiaron opciones alternativas, pero dada la complejidad del acontecimiento, la naturaleza del deporte y el gran número de participantes internacionales (400 personas de 80 naciones, oficiales técnicos incluidos), se estimó inviable cambiar la sede de competición a menos de cuatro semanas de la fecha prevista o aplazar su celebración a una fecha posterior.

«Esta es una decisión difícil, pero pone a los boxeadores en el centro de la decisión y brinda certeza a atletas, federaciones nacionales y comités olímpicos nacionales de cara a los Juegos Olímpicos Tokyo 2020 —afirmó el presidente del BTF, Morinari Watanabe—.La evolución de la situación en Argentina y en toda la región, y las consiguientes restricciones de viaje hacia y desde Buenos Aires, podrían haber provocado que los atletas y sus equipos no pudiesen participar en el clasificatorio, lo cual es un riesgo que no se podía tolerar».

Por lo tanto, se ha reestructurado el proceso de clasificación para la región América con el fin de adecuarlo a la cancelación del torneo de clasificación. El BTF ha confirmado el siguiente enfoque:

1. Teniendo en cuenta que únicamente los boxeadores inscritos en el Clasificatorio de Boxeo de América para Tokyo 2020 habrían podido optar a una plaza olímpica, la atribución de las 49 plazas correspondientes a dicho clasificatorio (33 masculinas y 16 femeninas) estará limitada a los deportistas inscritos en él.
2. Las 49 plazas del Clasificatorio de Boxeo de América para Tokyo 2020 se atribuirán en función del ranking del BTF, de conformidad con la cláusula D.3 del sistema de clasificación de boxeo de Tokyo 2020 (versión de marzo de 2021). 
3. La atribución de las 13 plazas inicialmente previstas para el Clasificatorio de Boxeo Mundial y redirigidas a América se efectuará después de la atribución de las 49 plazas correspondientes al Clasificatorio de América y se regirá por los criterios de admisibilidad del sistema de clasificación en vigor. La inscripción de boxeadores por parte de sus federaciones nacionales y CON respectivos para participar en el Clasificatorio de Boxeo de América se entenderá como «participantes en una (1) prueba de clasificación olímpica organizada por el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Boxeo» y servirá, junto con otros criterios, para asignar dichas plazas.

Tras la aprobación formal por parte de la Comisión Ejecutiva del COI, prevista el 7 de mayo, se publicará una versión enmendada del sistema de clasificación de boxeo para Tokyo 2020 que refleje los citados cambios.

El Clasificatorio de Boxeo de Europa para Tokyo 2020 se retomará en París (Francia) del 4 al 8 de junio.

Update on the Boxing Road to Tokyo Americas qualifier in Buenos Aires

15/04/2021

Lausanne, 15 April 2021 – The IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) has been monitoring the situation in Argentina and the Americas, ahead of the Boxing Road to Tokyo Americas qualifier scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires (ARG) from 10 to 16 May 2021. 

In recent weeks, tighter travel restrictions and lockdowns have been implemented across the region, which have significantly disrupted international travel and pose logistical challenges to teams travelling to and from Buenos Aires, jeopardising their ability to participate in the event. 

Given the nature of the event as an Olympic qualifier which will award a large number of direct quota places (49) for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, ensuring fair access and a safe environment for all athletes and officials is of the greatest importance. This is in line with the key principles followed by the BTF, which remains committed to delivering a fair and equitable Olympic qualification process, providing certainty to the athletes and allowing sufficient time for them to prepare for Tokyo 2020, while always prioritising athlete health and safety.

Unfortunately, the current situation in the region does not provide the assurances needed for these principles to be followed at the event scheduled in Buenos Aires.

For this reason, after a thorough assessment and consultations with teams, the BTF’s Athlete Ambassadors and boxing experts plus the Local Organising Committee, the BTF has decided to cancel the event and restructure the Tokyo 2020 qualification pathway for the Americas region.

The BTF studied alternative options, but due to the complexity and nature of the sport of boxing and the large number of international participants (400 people from 80 nations, including technical officials) it was deemed not possible either to change the location, with less than four weeks to go, or to reschedule the event to a later date.

“This is a difficult decision, but it is one that puts boxers first and gives athletes, National Federations and National Olympic Committees certainty ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020,” said the BTF Chair, Mr Morinari Watanabe. “The development of the situation in Argentina and across the region, and the resulting travel restrictions to and from Buenos Aires, could have resulted in athletes and teams not being able to participate in the qualifier, which is a risk that could not be taken.”

The Tokyo 2020 boxing qualification pathway for the Americas region has therefore been restructured in order to reflect the cancellation of the event. The BTF has confirmed the following approach:

1. Considering that only the boxers registered to compete in the Americas qualifier would have had a chance to gain one of the Olympic quota places originally at stake in the event, the allocation of the 49 athlete quota places (33 for men, 16 for women) of the Americas Olympic Qualifier will remain exclusive to the athletes registered for the event.
2. All 49 quota places of the Americas Olympic Boxing Qualifiers will be allocated via the BTF Ranking in accordance with the section D.3 currently found in the Tokyo 2020 Qualification System for boxing (dated March 2021). 
3. The reallocation of the 13 quota places originally due to be obtained at the World Olympic Qualifier and redirected to the Americas will be conducted only after allocation of the 49 athlete quota places of the Americas Olympic Qualifier, and will follow the Eligibility Criteria found in the current Tokyo 2020 Qualification System for boxing. It should be noted that the registration of the athletes by their relevant National Federation and NOC to participate in the Americas Olympic Boxing Qualifiers will be understood as “participating in one (1) of the Olympic Qualification Events organised by the Boxing Task Force” and serve, along with the other criteria, for the purposes of allocating such quota places.

An updated version of the Tokyo 2020 Qualification System for boxing – reflecting the aforementioned changes – will be published following formal approval by the IOC Executive Board, which is expected by 7 May.

The Boxing Road to Tokyo European Qualifier is due to resume in Paris (FRA), where the event will be held from 4 to 8 June.

Paris selected to host the Boxing Road to Tokyo European Qualifier

02/03/2021

Lausanne, 02 March 2021 –  Following the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) decision to restructure the Tokyo 2020 boxing Olympic qualifying path, the BTF has selected Paris (FRA) as the host city of the European Boxing Road to Tokyo Qualifier. As previously communicated, the event will take place from 4 to 8 June 2021.  

The BTF has selected Paris as part of its initial commitment to organise its events in the host countries of recent or upcoming Olympic Games, and because of the opportunity to continue to benefit from its already established relationship with the Local Organising Committee, which was originally entrusted to organise the now-cancelled Final World Qualifier.  

The European Qualifier will resume from where it was suspended on 16 March 2020. The official draw, conducted in London on 13 March 2020, and the competition schedule that resulted from this draw, will remain valid. The established results (recorded between 14 and 16 March 2020 in London) and the 16 Olympic quota places earned on 16 March 2020 will remain valid for the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. 

Tokyo 2020 boxing Olympic qualifying path to be restructured

15/02/2021

Lausanne, 15 February 2021 –  In the past 10 days, and reflecting the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) goals of transparency and putting athletes first, the BTF has consulted all boxing NFs, NOCs, its technical experts, the boxing Athlete Ambassadors and medical experts for their input, to understand the individual situations and considerations for the remaining Olympic boxing qualification events. This has included a review of the current challenges to international travel and related restrictions in many countries, and the resulting impacts on a fair and equitable Olympic qualification process.

The main consensus of the feedbacks received on the remaining boxing Olympic qualification process was as follows:

1. To ensure fair and safest possible conditions for the boxers from all regions, including having the same opportunity to recover and properly prepare for both the qualifiers and, more importantly, the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020;
2. The importance of safeguarding the minimum period of 30 days between consecutive events (i.e. the last Continental Olympic Qualifier and the Final World Qualifier, and the Final World Qualifier and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020), especially given the current situation; and
3. Additional concerns regarding the ever-evolving travel restrictions, quarantine requirements and governmental policies that could affect the athletes’ preparation timelines, their ability and ability to participate in the Olympic qualifiers and the presence of technical officials at these qualifiers.

The BTF met on 12 February 2021 and reinforced the health and safety of the athletes as the key focus, along with prioritising the Continental Olympic Qualifiers. This prioritisation of the continental events:

1. Ensures that athletes of all regions have a fair and equal opportunity to qualify;
2. Increases the time for athlete recovery and appropriate preparation for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, reinforcing the BTF’s focus on medical and safety considerations; and
3. Protects the BTF rankings and seeding system for the Tokyo 2020 boxing tournament.

Therefore, after exploring all possible scenarios, the BTF has decided to restructure the remaining parts of the boxing qualification pathway for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as detailed below.

Completion of continental qualification events

The African and Asian/Oceanian continental qualification events have been completed, and the European qualification event has been partially completed.

European Olympic Qualifier:

The European Olympic Qualifier, initially scheduled to be held in London (GBR) in April 2021, has now been pushed back to June 2021. The location and dates will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Americas Olympic Qualifier:

The Americas Olympic Qualifier has been confirmed to take place in Buenos Aires (ARG) from 10 to 16 May 2021.

Replacement of World Olympic Qualifier with use of BTF rankings

As a consequence of prioritising the Continental Olympic Qualifiers, and the rescheduling of the European Olympic Qualifier, the final stage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic boxing qualification process has been restructured. The final World Olympic Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Paris (FRA) in June 2021, will not be held.

The 53 quota places (32 men and 21 women) planned to be allocated at the final World Olympic Qualifier will now be allocated equally across the four regions (Africa, Americas, Asia/Oceania and Europe) and all the weight categories. Following the fundamental principle of universality, one nominal quota (by name) will be allocated to the best ranked athlete not yet qualified per region and per weight category, as per the BTF rankings upon the conclusion of each respective continental event.

This ensures a new reallocation pathway, which is based on international on-field results recorded over the past four years (2017-2021), including but not limited to the BTF Olympic Qualification Events.

To ensure the utmost transparency and integrity of the allocation process, the BTF rankings were reviewed by an external auditor to ensure that all results have been accounted for accurately and in compliance with the BTF’s “Summary on Ranking & Seeding for the Olympic Boxing Qualifying Events and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020”.

Athlete Ambassador Mary Kom of India – Olympic bronze medallist (London 2012) and six-time World Champion – added: “I would like to thank the Boxing Task Force for listening to our feedback, and for putting the health and safety of the athletes first in their decision process. BTF events are Olympic qualifiers, we should never forget that. Everybody deserves a fair opportunity to participate and have the appropriate time to recover after a competition and to prepare for the Olympic Games.”

Athlete Ambassador Shelley Watts – a Rio 2016 Olympian and a 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion from Australia – said: “All boxers from all regions should have the same opportunity to prepare, compete and qualify for the games & recover between events. While I feel sorry for the athletes not getting a chance to compete in a Final World qualifier, I 100% support the BTF’s solution to rearrange the qualification pathway to Tokyo 2020 in the best interests of all athletes!”

“This is the best way forward,” continued Athlete Ambassador Lukmon Lawal, London 2012 Olympian and 2011 All Africa Games silver medalist from Nigeria. “The BTF found a way to reorganise the Olympic Qualification path in a transparent manner. The continental qualifiers are protected, and the best boxers in the world will have another chance to qualify for the Games through on-field results accounted in the BTF Ranking.”

2016 Olympic Silver medalist and 2008 World Champ Sarah Ourahmoune, an Athlete Ambassador from France, said: “In my opinion, cancelling the Final World Qualifier and using the BTF World Ranking to distribute the 53 Olympic Quotas is the best option, in today’s context. This ensures that no athlete is excluded from the new qualification pathway to Tokyo 2020. We should not forget how many nations around the world are now facing travel restrictions and quarantine periods that affect boxers’ preparation and ability to compete.”

An updated version of the Tokyo 2020 Qualification System for Boxing – reflecting the aforementioned changes – will be published as soon as possible following the formal approval of the IOC Executive Board, which is expected by the end of February 2021.

Tokyo 2020 Boxing European Qualifier update

29/01/2021

Lausanne, 2021/01/29 – The Boxing Task Force (BTF), in a virtual meeting conducted yesterday, decided that the European Qualifier for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Boxing tournament will no longer be taking place in London in April.

The decision was taken in light of the current situation and increased travel restrictions to/from the UK and taking into consideration the feedback received from the European Boxing Federations and NOCs. 

The BTF is currently evaluating all possible options (including April in another location) and will provide an update regarding the European Qualifier on 17 February 2021.

The BTF would like to express its gratitude to the British Olympic Association, GB Boxing, UK Sport and all their stakeholders involved for their great commitment and efforts in supporting us during these extremely difficult and ever evolving times.

European boxing qualifier suspended, all results to be valid when the competition resumes

17/03/2020

In light of the constantly changing landscape worldwide, the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) decided to suspend the Boxing Road to Tokyo European qualifier in London, Great Britain, after the last bout of the third day of competition on 16 March.

The BTF eventually took the decision to suspend the event – as well as the subsequent Americas and world qualifiers – amid increasing global travel restrictions and quarantine measures, in order to allow the participants from over 60 countries to adjust their travel plans and return home.

The BTF’s priority remains the qualification of athletes on the field of play, and it aims to complete the distribution of the remaining Tokyo 2020 boxing quota places in May and June.

When it resumes, the European qualifier will pick up from where it was suspended. The official draw, conducted in London on 13 March 2020, and the competition schedule that resulted from this draw, will remain valid and will apply when the event resumes. Only those athletes who were still in the event at the end of the third day of competition will be eligible to participate when the competition resumes. The established results (recorded between 14 and 16 March 2020 in London) will be valid moving forward, and the 16 Olympic quota places earned on 16 March will be valid for the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Once again, the BTF would like to thank the host nations, the organising committees and all the participants involved for their support and tremendous efforts in dealing with this extraordinary situation.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@olympicboxing.sport.

IOC Boxing Task Force suspends European qualifier in London and all remaining events until May

16/03/2020

In light of the constantly changing landscape worldwide, the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) has decided today to suspend the current Boxing Road to Tokyo European qualifier in London, Great Britain, and the subsequent Americas and final world qualifiers, which were scheduled to take place in May.

The European qualifier, which started on 14 March and was planned to run until 24 March, will be closed after today’s evening session.

Safeguarding the well-being of the athletes, officials and all other participants is a top priority for the BTF. Since the preparation phase of the event, the BTF has been working in close cooperation with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) – the delivery body of the competition – as well as its stakeholders, its own medical experts and the national health authorities, to set up the necessary precautionary measures.

The BTF eventually took the decision to suspend the event today, amid increasing global travel restrictions and quarantine measures, in order to allow the participants from over 60 countries to adjust their travel plans and return home.

The BTF will continue to evaluate the situation daily, aiming to complete the distribution of the remaining Tokyo 2020 boxing quota places in May and June. The BTF’s priority remains the qualification of athletes on the field of play, and it will inform all stakeholders as soon as more information is available.

At the same time, the IOC is fully committed to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, as was recently outlined again in the following statement: https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-statement-on-the-olympic-flame-lighting-and- the-olympic-games-tokyo-2020 .

The BTF would like to thank the host nations, the organising committees and all the participants involved for their support and tremendous efforts in dealing with this extraordinary situation.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@olympicboxing.sport

(Find here the IOC Boxing Task Force Statement on the matter, in PDF format)

London’s LOC Statement on Boxing Road to Tokyo Qualifier

15/03/2020

Please find the original statement of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the Boxing Road to Tokio European qualifier in London (GBR) here (click to open). The staement reads:

Due to the changing situation with Coronavirus and concerns for public, athlete and volunteer welfare the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) has taken the decision that from Monday 16 March 2020 the Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic qualifying event at the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will take place behind closed doors. This unfortunately means that no spectators will be permitted to attend the event.

The decision comes into force with immediate effect and covers both the 12:00 and 18:00 sessions that are due to take place on Monday 16 March 2020 and all other sessions up until the end of the tournament.

The Local Organising Committee of the Boxing Road to Tokyo event understands the reasons for the decision and apologises to ticket holders for any inconvenience this may cause.

Any customers that also took out an insurance policy with TicketPlan when they purchased their tickets should contact the company direct via the TicketPlan website. The Boxing Road to Tokyo Olympic qualifier will continue to be streamed live on the Olympic Channel and can be viewed at https://oly.ch/2vqhjng

Asian/Oceanian event closes in Amman, 63 boxers qualified for Tokyo

12/03/2020

The Asian/Oceanian Boxing Road to Tokyo qualifier came to an end in Amman, Jordan, today. A total of 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries competed over nine days in 13 weight categories (eight men’s and five women’s events), aiming for the 63 Tokyo 2020 Olympic quota places to be decided by this continental event.

A total of 14 countries finished on the podium in Amman. The People’s Republic of China finished atop the medals standings with a total of six medals, including four gold and two bronze medals. Uzbekistan followed in second place, with three gold and three bronze, also thanks to the victory of Bakhodir JALOLOV in the Men’s Super-Heavyweight (+91kg) final, the last bout of the tournament. Kazakhstan won the highest number of medals, eight, but placed third in the overall medals standings, with two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

Find here the full medals standings of the competition.

Find here the top eight boxers for each weight category

Seventeen different countries won at least one qualification spot for Tokyo 2020 through the tournament in Amman. India and Kazakhstan won the highest number of quota places, nine each out of 13 weight categories, while home country Jordan claimed a record number of five Olympic berths.

On the ninth and final competition day, 11 box-offs and 13 finals took place at the Prince Hamzah Hall, assigning the Asian/Oceanian qualifier’s gold medals. The final rankings of this tournament will also be used to determinate the seedings for the Tokyo 2020 boxing tournament. 

Top seed and reigning world champion Mirazizbek MIRZAKHAILOVof Uzbekistan upset the Jordanian fans, in the Men’s Featherwight (52-57kg) final, as he outscored by a unanimous decision local hero Mohammad Abdelaziz Mohamm ALWADI, the 34-year-old Amman resident who claimed his first Olympic quota place on his home turf, after 21 years in the sport. But the home crowd celebrated soon after, at the end of the Men’s Welterweight (63-69kg) final, as Jordan’s Zeyad Eishaih Hussein ISHAISH secured gold, leaving the silver to India’s Vikas KIRSHAN, by a unanimous decision of the judges.

In the Men’s Flyweight (48-52kg) division, China’s HU Jianguan claimed the fastest victory of the tournament. After 59 seconds into the first round, he landed a strong punch on the neck of Thailand’s Thitisan PANMOT, compromising his balance. The referee immediately stopped the contest, awarding the Chinese athlete the gold medal, as PANMOT was still sitting on his stool. “This is the first time that I’ve knocked out an opponent, and right now I’m very worried for him and I hope he is all right.” HU said. PANMOT quickly recovered after the bout, however. “I came here to achieve a target and I’m very happy to leave as the winner of this tournament,” said HU.

In the Men’s Lightweight (57-63kg) box-off, India’s Manish KAUSHIK beat Australia’s Harrison GARSIDE (seeded second here in Amman), securing a qualification spot for Tokyo 2020. “It was my dream to play at the Olympics, and today it has finally come true for me and my family,” the Indian athlete said. “My coaches have played a huge contribution in this. Thank you everyone.”

In the Women’s Flyweight (48-51kg) class, China’s Yuan CHANG finally overcame Japan’s NAMIKI Tsukimi, fighting back in the third round, after she had suffered in the first two rounds of the bout. The 2018 Asian Games champion changed her strategy after the second round, showing more determination as the countdown ticked closer and closer to zero. “I asked my coaches after the first two rounds what the score was, and when I realised that I was losing I told them that I wanted to be more aggressive, because in the first two rounds I was very technical,” the gold medal-winner said. “My objective for Tokyo is to be on top of the podium, to hear my anthem and see my flag waving.”

Find all the results of Amman’s day-9 here: morning session, afternoon session.

Find the list of allocated quota places here

Coming next: London’s European qualifier opens in three days

The Boxing Road to Tokyo series moves now to London, Great Britain, where the European qualifying event is about to commence. There, 342 boxers from 45 nations will compete at the Copperbox Arena from 14 to 24 March, competing for 50 Olympic quota places (find the qualification system here). Tickets for the Boxing Road to Tokyo in London are on sale online here (click to open link).

Follow the action live

Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English and Russian. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated London qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Boxing Road to Tokyo Americas qualifying event in Buenos Aires suspended

11/03/2020

The IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) regrets to inform that due to the Coronavirus outbreak and recent measures taken by the Argentinian government, the Boxing Road to Tokyo Americas qualifying event scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 26 March to 3 April has been suspended.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) informed the BTF earlier today that the government of Argentina has taken the decision to restrict all types of international events in the country with immediate effect as a precautionary measure to COVID-19.

The BTF understands and respects the decision taken by the public authorities of Argentina during this difficult time worldwide. We are searching for the appropriate solution for this unexpected situation and will immediately inform the National Olympic Committees, National Federations and other impacted parties as soon as further information is available.

We apologize for this unexpected occurrence and understand the inconvenience for all stakeholders, especially for our athletes and delegations. We assure you that the BTF is doing its utmost to find the best solution.

Please, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at buenosaires.qualifier@olympicboxing.sport

Asian/Oceanian qualifier in Amman: day-8 sees semi-finalists in action

10/03/2020

The Asian/Oceanian Boxing Road to Tokyo qualifier taking place in Amman, Jordan, has entered its last phase. Today’s semi-finals saw the best boxers of the continent qualifying for the medals matches to be held tomorrow.

Five Jordanians have already guaranteed Tokyo 2020 Olympic quota places – a record for the country, which had qualified a maximum of two boxers at previous Olympic tournaments. They all reached the last four in their weights, but it was Mohammad ALWADI and Zeyad ISHAISH who managed to further advance to the final, by winning their respective semi-finals today. In the final bouts, next to the medals, they will have a chance to collect important world ranking points and obtain a better seeding for the Olympic tournament.

ALWADI defeated Van Duong NGUYEN of Vietnam, overcoming a loss in the first round to eventually win the semi-final by split decision. He will compete in the men’s feather (52-57kg) final against the current world ranking’s number two, Kazakhstan’s Mirazizbek MIRZAKHAILOV.

“The strategy was to make it a tight fight and beat him by counter-attacking and it worked,” said ALWADI. “I am focused now on gold here and then going on to Tokyo to win there.”

In the men’s welterweight (63-69kg) division, ISHAISH beat World Championship bronze medallist and reigning Asian champion Bobo-Usmon BATUROV of Uzbekistan. Supported by the home crowd, the Jordanian athlete won by split decision, making it to the final match, where he will meet India’s Vikas KIRSHAN, who cleared his bout against seed number two Ablaikhan ZHUSSUPOV of Kazakhstan to qualify.

“I told my son Rashid last night that I will reach the final and become the number one in Asia, so I didn’t want to let him down,” said ISHAISH. “I’ve shown today that I can be the best and that I can win the gold medal for Jordan this summer.”

Kazakhstan’s top seed Vassilly LEVIT upset the Jordan fans crowding the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, as he beat the older ISHAISH brother, Hussein, in the men’s heavyweight (81-91kg) class. After losing the first round, he fought back in rounds two and three, to advance in the brackets by split decision. In the final match, he will meet Athlete Ambassador and seed number two in this tournament David NYIKA of New Zealand, who secured a spot in the last bout of the tournament by winning against seed number three Sanjar TURSUNOV of Uzbekistan.

In the morning session, reigning world champion and world ranking leader in the women’s featherweight (54-57kg) category, Chinese Taipei’s LIN Yu-Ting, beat Australia’s hope Skye NICOLSON, booking a final face-to-face against Japan’s Sene IRIE, who passed through the semi-finals clearing her bout against South Korea’s IM Aeji by unanimous decision.

In the women’s flyweight (48-51kg) event, India’s hero Mary Kom HMANGTE lost to China’s CHANG Yuan by split decision. The Chinese athlete will meet NAMIKI Tsukimi of Japan, who won the first bout of the afternoon’s session as HUANG Hsiao-Wen of Chinese Taipei abandoned the contest 2:56 minutes into the first round.

You can find all the results from day eight in Amman here: morning session, afternoon session, and the detailed competition schedule here.

Follow the finals live

The Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifying event has attracted 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries, who have been competing for 63 Olympic quota places in 13 weight categories (eight men’s and five women’s events) since 3 March.

The finals and the last box-offs are taking place on 11 March. Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Jordan secures fifth quota, India’s Mary Kom comes back, on Amman’s day-7

09/03/2020

Twenty-eight more quota places were awarded today in Amman, during day seven at Asian/Oceanian Boxing Road to Tokyo qualifier in Amman, as the semi-finals and the box-offs tool place for the women’s fly (48-51kg), feather (54-57kg), and light (57-60kg) events and for the men’s fly (48-52kg), feather (52-57kg), light (57-63kg), welter (63-69kg) and middle (69-75kg) weights categories.

Jordanian fans rocked the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman, cheering out loud for Obada Mohammad Mustafa ALKASBEH, who won the host country its fourth Olympic quota place beating seed top seed Bakhodur USMONOV of Tajikistan in the men’s light weight (57-63kg) event.

“I can’t tell you how much this means to me to reach my second Olympics,” said the Rio 2016 Olympian. In 2019, he had lost to the same USMONOV in the Asian Championship final. “I learned a lot from last year’s final against him and kept to the plan that we made to beat him.”

His teammate Mohammad Abdelaziz Mohamm ALWADI, competing in the men’s feather (52-57kg) event, secured the fifth quota for the home team, beating South Korea’s Sangmyeong HAM. His victory extends the already exceptional success of Jordan in this tournament: the country has never had as many boxers qualified for an Olympic edition.

“I have worked solidly for four years for this,” he said. “I haven’t seen my family for a month because we have all trained so hard for our Olympic dream. This is it now. I want to go on and win a gold medal. The crowd was amazing. Thank-you to everyone for coming out to see me. I have made you proud I hope.”

In the women’s feather (54-57kg), Australia’s top seed Skye NICOLSON was the fourth Australian boxer to secure an Olympic quota place, defeating Mongolia’s Bolortuul TUMRKHUYA through a sharp 5-0 decision. In the same weight class, South Korea’s IM Aeji and Chinese Taipei’s LIN Yu-Ting advanced to the semi-finals, both with a unanimous decision. Japan’s IRIE Sena beat seed number one, Nesthy PETECIO of the Philippines, to become the first Japanese female boxer to qualify for Tokyo. “I can’t believe I defeated the world champion to get this quota place,” she said. “When I fought Petecio at the World Championships I felt a lot of pressure, but today I fought bravely and am so happy I won it!”

In the men’s fly (48-52kg) category, Indian’s top seed and world number one Amit PANGHAL qualified for Tokyo by defeating Carlo PAALAM of the Philippines. In the following bout, China’s HU Jianguan over-scored fourth seed Saken BIBOSSINOV of Kazakhstan to advance to the semi-finals and to book his second participation in the Olympic Games. “I have more experience than my opponent, and I used my speed and flexibility to my advantage. I’m happy to get another chance to go to the Olympics,” the Chinese athlete said. Later in the session, both Thitisan PANMOT of Thailand and seed number two Shakhobidin ZOIROV passed through the quarter finals, claiming a spot in Tokyo.

In the men’s welter weight division (63-69kg) China’s Qiong ERSUN MAIMAITITU and Japan’s Mensari Quincy Sewonrets OKAZAWA won their respective box off bouts and will meet on the ring in a second box off, aiming at the last Olympic quota up for grabs in their class.

In the women’s flyweight (48-51kg) category, six-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom HMANGTE – “Magnificent Mary” – secured a spot in the Tokyo 2020 Games beating Irish MAGNO of the Philippines, eight year after her first Olympic participation. “I deserve this because I have faced so many challenges,” said Kom. “I have had to put up with a lot of negativity with people saying I would never make it back after marriage, having children and so on. But I have shown them who I am and what I can do.” She will next fight another former World Champion, Yuan Chang, of China, in the last four of her weight class.

Yeinji OH (South Korea), Sudaporn SEESONDEE (Thailand), WU Shih-YI (Chinese Taipei) and Simranjit Kaur BAATTH (India) won the four quota places awarded today in the women’s light weight (57-60kg) event. They will all advance to the semi-finals, looking for a spot on Amman’s podium, and to gain points for a better seeding at the Games.

Find all the results from day seven in Amman here: morning session, afternoon session, and the detailed competition schedule here.

Follow the semi-finals live

The Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifying event has attracted 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries, who have been competing for 63 Olympic quota places in 13 weight categories (eight men’s and five women’s events) since the 3^rd of March.

Action will continue with 28 semi-finals. Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

28 quota places awarded on day six at the Asian/Oceanian boxing qualifier in Amman

08/03/2020

Twenty-eight bouts took place on day six at the Asian/Oceanian Boxing Road to Tokyo qualifier in Amman, Jordan, an event in which 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries have been competing for 63 Olympic quota places in 13 weight categories (eight men’s and five women’s events).

The tournament reached the quarter-finals phase, the gateway to Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020, as the top four or top five athletes in each event (depending on their weight category) are awarded a quota place (find the qualification system here).

Twenty-eight boxers qualified for Tokyo on Sunday – six from Kazakhstan, five from India, four from China, three from Uzbekistan, Jordan and Australia, and one from New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and the Philippines.

Cheered on by a number of local fans in the Prince Hamzah Hall, Jordanian brothers Hussein and Zeyad IASHAISH and their team-mate Odai Riyad Adel ALHINDAWI all won their quarter-final bouts, booking three tickets to Tokyo and marking a record for Jordan.

The first quota place was secured in the men’s light heavyweight event (75-81kg) by Alhindawi, who defeated Thailand’s Jakkapong YOMKHOT with a unanimous judges’ decision during the morning session.  

“This is the first step,” he said. “The Olympics were a dream, but not anymore. I am very excited and believe I can go on to win a medal in Tokyo. I am not alone; this is a team effort with my coach and everyone else behind me. I thank them all for their support.”

After watching his brother and Alhindawi qualify, 25-year-old Hussein faced and beat Samoa’s Ato Leau PLODZICKI-FAOAGALI in the men’s heavyweight (81-91kg) match to secure his second Olympic appearance, following the Rio Games four years ago.

“After watching Zeyad and Odai, I wanted to qualify in style, so I was delighted to stop him,” he said. “I am so proud of my brother as well, and I promise this summer you will see headlines of the Iashaish brothers doing something special in Tokyo.”

His next fight will be against Olympic silver medallist and no. 1 seed Vassily LEVIT of Kazakhstan, who beat Tajikistan’s Davlat BOLTAYEV by unanimous decision. In the same men’s heavyweight division, New Zealand’s David NYIKA won a quota place by claiming victory in his semi-final against Syria’s Alaa Aldin GHOUSOON with a unanimous decision.  

Younger brother Zeyad, competing in the men’s welter (63-69kg) event, overcame American Samoa’s Marion Faustino AH TONG, advancing in the brackets and securing Jordan’s second Olympic quota.  

“Thank God I was able to win a tough fight,” he said. “I did it for my family and all of Jordan. My dream was always to fight at the Olympics, and it has come true. I want to go on and win this championship now, and then plan for Tokyo.”

Kazakhstan was the country that won the highest number of quota places on this day of competition, with six Olympic berths.

“I’m one of the youngest competitors here, and I didn’t believe that I had the experience to win. I just came to participate,” said Nadezhda RYABETS, the Kazakh boxer who won the women’s middleweight (69-75kg) semi-final, beating NGUYEN Thi Huong of Vietnam. “I can’t believe that I’ve just managed to qualify for the Olympic Games.”

Her team-mate, Ablaikhan ZHUSSUPOV, claimed a Tokyo 2020 Olympic quota in the men’s welter (63-69kg) event, clearing his semi-final bout against Thailand’s MASUK Wuttichai with the judges’ unanimous decision. Bekzad NURDAULETOV secured another Olympic spot in the men’s light heavy (75-81kg) event, winning against Tajikistan’s Shabbos NEGMATULLOEV. In the men’s middle (69-75kg) event, Abilkhan AMANKUL advanced as he claimed victory against Uzbekistan’s Fanat KAKHRAMONOV, while in the men’s super heavyweight (+91kg) semi-final, the last bout of the day, it was Kamshybek KUNKABAYEV who completed Kazakhstan’s positive set, claiming the country’s sixth Olympic quota place by beating China’s Maimaiti AIHEMAITI.

India also finished in the spotlight, claiming five Olympic berths. Highlights of the day were the sharp victories of Ashish KUMAR in the men’s middle (69-75kg) category (he beat Indonesia’s Maikhel Roberrd MUSKITA) and his team-mate Satish KUMAR, who grabbed India’s fifth quota place of the day in the men’s super heavy (+91kg) quarter-final.

“I am the first super heavyweight boxer from India to have qualified for the Olympics. I am very happy and proud that I’m representing my country,” said Satish Kumar.

“I’m feeling very good after this bout, and I want to dedicate this to my father, who passed away one month ago,” said Ashish Kumar in an emotional statement after his victory.  “Whatever I did today, I did because I wanted to fulfil his dream. It was also his wish for me to go to the Olympics.”

Find all the results from day six in Amman here: morning session, afternoon session, and the detailed competition schedule here.

Follow the action live

The Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifying event continues today. Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

India moves full speed ahead on day five of the Asian/Oceanian qualifier in Amman

07/03/2020

The Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifying event, which sees 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries competing for 63 Olympic quota places in 13 weight categories (eight men’s and five women’s events) at the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman, continued on Saturday with 24 preliminary bouts, in the women’s fly (48-51kg) and in the men’s fly (48-52kg) and featherweight (52-57kg) categories.

India’s national idol Mary  Kom HMANGTE stole the show in the women’s fly (48-51kg) division, as she beat New Zealand’s Tasmyn BENNY. “I have a lot of experience. Sometimes I understand the situation in the ring really easily,” she said. “Sometimes I am in trouble a bit, and that’s when experience kicks in and helps me a lot. Today, I used my experience.”

Mary Kom, the only woman ever to have won six world championship titles, and the only boxer to have won eight world championship medals, is seeking a Tokyo 2020 qualification place. Advancing to the quarter-finals, she moved one step closer to reaching her goal. “I’ve won all sorts of medals throughout the last 20 years. There’s only one I am missing: the Olympic gold,” she commented. After winning bronze in 2012, she failed to qualify for Rio. “Maybe this is my last chance,” she said. “I am really going for it; I hope with all my heart that I will grab it. This a great competition, and the quality of judges and referees is better than ever before. I am really happy and confident.”

In the same weight category, top seed HUANG Hsiao-Wen of Chinese Taipei beat Australia’s Kristy HARRIS; and Japan’s NAMIKI Tsukimi, a 2018 world championship bronze medallist who is competing here in Amman as the tournament’s no.4 seed, defeated Mongolia’s Altantsetseg LUTSAIKHAN. Both victories were awarded by unanimous decision.

Men’s fly (48-52kg)

In the men’s flyweight division, world number one and top seed AMIT of India clinched a split decision victory against Mongolia’s Enkhmandakh KHARKHUU. Amit started with two great rounds before suffering in the last portion of the match, but was able to defend his lead and advance to the quarter finals. “In the past, I have lost to him, so I was a bit nervous. It has been a very tense bout,” Amit said. “My game is to play counter, and he knows that as we have met several times before. But I studied a good strategy with my coach, and that helped me a lot. I am now looking forward to the next bout.”

Later in the afternoon, in the same weight category, Thailand’s Thitisan PANMOT turned the tables in a tense match, beating the Republic of Korea’s KIM Inkyu – the no.3 seed here in Amman – and advancing to the quarter-finals. “It has been a very difficult bout for me, because Kim is taller than I am,” Panmot said. The youth world champion is competing in his first Olympic qualifier here in Amman. “I did not give my best today; I was on 70 per cent. Let’s say I saved some energy for the next phase of the competition.” There, he will meet Australia’s Alex WINWOOD. “I know him very well,” Panmot said. “We have been at a training camp in Thailand together. I will peak at 100 per cent for that bout, because I really want to qualify for the Games.”

Men’s feather (52-57kg)

India also took centre stage in the men’s feather category, as Gaurav SOLANKI produced an excellent performance, claiming victory against the top seed in Amman, Mirazizbek MIRZAKHALILOV of Uzbekistan, by decision.

Find all the results from day five in Amman here: morning session, afternoon session, and the detailed competition schedule here.

Quarter-finals: the gateway for Tokyo 2020 quota places

The Amman qualifier now moves on to the quarter-finals phase. On 8 March, 24 quarter-final bouts will be contested in the women’s welter (64-69kg) and middleweight (65-69kg) divisions; and in the men’s welter (63-69kg), middle (69-75kg), light heavy (75-81kg), heavy (81-91kg) and super heavyweight (+91kg) categories. The semi-finals will ultimately be the getaway to an Olympic qualification spot for Tokyo 2020, as the top four or top five athletes (depending on their weight category) will be awarded a quota place (find the qualification system here).

Follow the action live

Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi, beginning on 3 March at 11 a.m. EET (local time). Coverage is available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Jordan brothers steal the show at the Asian/Oceanian qualifier in Amman, where 24 bouts were contested on day-4

06/03/2020

Jordanian brothers Hussein and Zeyad IASHAISH rocked the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman, during day-4 of the Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifier being held there from 3 to 11 March.

The two athletes, competing in the Men’s Heavyweight (81-91kg) and in the Men’s Welterweight (63-69kg) categories, won their respective bouts, advancing to the quarter-finals and getting one step closer to a Tokyo 2020 quota place.

Supported by the cheering home crowd, they both achieved a 5-0 unanimous decision win over their opponents.

Ranked eighth in the world, and number four seed in this tournament, Zeyad beat Australia’s Jason MALLIA. His older brother Hussein, also seeded fourth here in Amman, shattered South Korea’s Hyeongkyu Kim’s hopes, beating him after a standing count.

“I promised our mother that we would give her a birthday present of both of us qualifying and we delivered,” said 25-year-old Hussein. “This is a big moment, not only for our family but for all of Jordan. Thank you so much for the support: we will not let you down.”

Hussein – who reached the quarter-finals at the Olympics in Rio – will meet American Samoa’s Alto Leau PLODZICKI-FAOAGALI on Sunday, chasing his second Olympic participation. In the other heavyweight match contested today, Tajikistan’s Davlat BOLTAYEV booked a slot in the quarter-finals beating Mongolia’s Erdenebayar SANDAGSUREN.

“This will be Hussein Ishaish’s year,” Hussein said. “I am feeling strong. I will fight anyone to reach Tokyo.”

Competing in the same session as his brother on Sunday, 21-year-old Zeyad – an Asian Games bronze medallist – will meet 19-year-old Marion AH TONG of American Samoa, who beat 2017 Asian Games bronze medallist Sajjad POSHTIRI of Iran to move ahead in the tournament. In the same Men’s Welterweight category (63-69kg), World bronze medallist and reigning Asian Games champion Bobo-Usmon BATUROV (Uzbekistan) beat Dominic ROE (New Zealand), and China’s Qiong MAIMAITITU ERSUN beat Pakistan’s ZAIB Gul, both by a unanimous decision.

“It felt amazing to be boxing here in front of all of my family and friends,” Zeyad said. “It is so special boxing in my homeland, and nothing will stop me getting to Tokyo now.”

In the first Men’s Super-Heavyweight (+91kg) bout, Bahrain’s Danis LATYPOV dominated and claimed a pass to the next phase of the competition, beating South Korea’s SONG Hwapyeong as the referee stopped the contest 1:06 minutes into the third round, after two standing counts. New Zealand’s Leuila MAU’U also advanced to the quarter-final with a clear victory over Tajikistan’s Siyovush ZUKHUROV.

Earlier this morning, in the Women’s Welterweight (64-69kg) division, Shinetsetseg URANBILEG of Mongolia outscored New Zealand’s Ariane NICHOLSON by a split decision, at the end of a very close match. In the same category, Asian Youth Boxing champion Baison MANIKON of Thailand met Nilufar BOBOYOROVA of Tajikistan, and beat her by a unanimous decision.

In the only Women’s Middleweight (69-75kg) bout on today’s schedule, it was Myagmarjargal MUNKHBAT of Mongolia who went through, claiming victory over Chinese Taipei’s WU Pei-Yi.

The Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifying event, which will see 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries competing for 63 Olympic quota places in 13 weight categories (eight men’s and five women’s events), will run until 11 March. Tomorrow, 24 more preliminary bouts will be contested at the Prince Hamzah Hall, with action due to begin at 11 a.m.

Find all the results from Amman’s day-4 here: morning session, afternoon session, and the detailed competition schedule here.

Follow the action live

Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi, beginning on 3 March at 11 a.m. EET (local time). Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Jordanian boxers shine on their home turf on Amman’s Asian/Oceanian qualifier day-3

05/03/2020

Day-3 of the Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifier in Amman turned into a stage of success for the home team, as Jordan’s Odai Riyad Adel ALHINDAWI and Obada Mohammad Mustafa ALKASBEH advanced to their respective quarter-finals.

Odai Riyad Adel ALHINDAWI dominated his bout against number 4 seed Jolando TAALA from American Samoa, winning in the Men’s Light Heavyweight category (75-81kg) with a unanimous decision after three excellent rounds.

His teammate, Obada Mohammad Mustafa ALKASBEH, secured a victory in the Men’s Lightweight event (57-63kg), beating Japan’s NARIMATSU Daisuke. Supported by the home crowd at the Prince Hamza Hall, he gave his best in the third round to snatch a split decision in his favour and advance in the brackets.

ALKASBEH, a 2016 Olympian looking for a spot at the 2020 Games, said: “Nothing was going to stop me in there. I felt I had all of Jordan behind me. The crowd was fantastic, I would like to thank all the fans who showed up at the venue today. My opponent was very strong, but I felt stronger as the fight went on and I was landing more punches. I was very happy with my performance.”

In the quarter-finals – the gateway to an Olympic qualification here in Amman – he will meet top-seeded Bakhodur USMONOV of Tajikistan, who cleared his fight with Shanil SHAHI of Nepal with a unanimous decision this morning. 

“He is good fighter, but to reach Tokyo you have to beat the best,” commented ALKASBEH, who will face him on the ring on Monday. “I will not stop until I reach Tokyo, and I will fight anyone in front of me to get there.”

ALHINDAWI, on his side, will share the ring with Jakkapong YOMKHOT of Thailand in his category’s quarter-finals on Sunday. “I followed the advice of my coach, but felt I wasn’t at my best today. I was at about 70 per cent, so I can’t wait for Sunday now to show what I am capable of,” he said. “The next bout is life or death, as victory means the Olympic Games and a dream come true.”

In the same weight category, the top seed and current world champion, Bekzad NURDAULETOV from Kazakhstan, beat New Zealand’s Jerome PAMPELLONE with a unanimous decision, while it was Shabbos NEGMATULLOEV of Tajikistan who outscored Faizullah ARYUBI from Afghanistan to book a spot in the round of eight.

In the afternoon’s session, Uzbekistan’s Fanat KAKHRAMONOV dominated the Men’s Middleweight (69-75kg) round-of-16 bout, beating top-seeded boxer Jancen POUTOA of American Samoa by a unanimous decision. The world number six and top-seed in the same weight category, Eumir MARCIAL of the Philippines, advanced to the quarter-final with a win over Australia’s Kirra RUSTON by a unanimous decision. There, he will meet Byamba-Erdene OTGONBAATAR of Mongolia, who secured a sharp victory against Syria’s Ahmad GHOUSOON today.

The Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifier in Amman runs until 11March. There, 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries are competing for 63 Olympic quota places in 13 weight categories (eight men’s and five women’s events).

Find all the results from Amman’s day-3 here: morning session, afternoon session, and the detailed competition schedule here.

Follow the action live

Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi, beginning on 3 March at 11 a.m. EET (local time). Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Australia’s Nicolson aims high in Amman, advancing in the Asian/Oceanian qualifier’s brackets

04/03/2020

The Boxing Road to Tokyo Asian/Oceanian qualifier continued today in Amman, Jordan.

The Tokyo 2020 qualifying event sees 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries competing for 63 Olympic quota places in 13 weight categories (8 men’s and 5 women’s events).

Amman’s day-2 featured 24 bouts, played out in the ring of the Prince Hamza Hall, in the women’s fly, feather, light, and in the men’s fly and welter weights.

In the women’s featherweight (54-57kg), top seeded boxer Skye NICOLSON, a 2018 Commonwealth champion from Australia, secured a spot in the next phase of the competition by dominating in her bout against Mijgona SAMADOVA of Tajikistan. The 24-year old Australian boxer made no secret of her aims here in Amman: “I am not here only to qualify for the Games, I want to go to Tokyo as one of the favourites,” she said.

Skye’s late brother, Jamie Nicolson, was a decorated boxer who competed in the featherweight category at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 1990.He was killed in a car accident in 1994, along with his younger brother Gavin, while they were heading to training.

Skye, who was born in 1995, never got to meet him. But still she feels a deep connection to Jamie, and some boxing experts said they have similar styles. “I know my brother is looking down on me proud. He has always been an inspiration, he’s my idol.”

“When I first started, women’s boxing was nothing, it was not even an Olympic sport,” she continued. “I have been progressing with the sport through all levels and championships, and I guess this is my destiny.”

In 2016, she narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Rio Olympic Games. Two years later, in 2108, she won the Commonwealth Games, beating Michaela Walsh of Ireland with a 3:2 decision. Today, she’s ranked fifth in the world (according to the BTF world ranking), and is a top-seeded athlete for this Asian/Oceanian Boxing Road to Tokyo qualifier. To secure an Olympic quota place, she will need to finish in the top four here in Amman, winning another bout in the quarter-finals to be held on 9 March.

“Boxing is my life,” she added smiling, “but I am part-time studying PR and communication at university. Maybe one day I will be on the other side of the fence, sharing the mixed zone with you media people.”

Find all the results from Amman’s day-1 here: morning session, afternoon session.

The Boxing Road to Tokyo continental qualifiers will continue tomorrow, with 24 more preliminary bouts (find the detailed competition’s schedule here)

Follow the action live

Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Action starts in Amman: 21 bouts contested on Asian/Oceanian Boxing Road to Tokyo day-1

03/03/2020

The Asian/Oceanian qualifying event on the Boxing Road t­o Tokyo kicked off today, with 21 bouts contested at the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, Jordan.

Athletes in five weight categories stepped into the ring on the inaugural day, competing in the preliminary sessions: the women’s and men’s featherweights, and the men’s lightweights, middleweights and light-heavyweights.

Women’s featherweights (54kg to 57kg)

In the preliminary women’s featherweight bouts, the 2019 South Asian Games silver medallist, Krismi Ayoma Dulan LANKAPURAYALAGE (SRI), won the very first bout of the event, beating Indonesia’s Silpa Lau RATU by a 4:1 decision. In the following bout, the 2019 Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships bronze medallist, Yodgoroy MIRZAEVA (UZB), prevailed over Micronesia’s 2016 Olympic flagbearer, Jennifer CHIENG, by unanimous decision.

Men’s featherweights (52kg to 57kg)

India’s Gaurav SOLANKI won the first men’s bout of the tournament by unanimous decision (5:0), competing in the featherweight category against Akylbek ESENBEK UULU (KGZ). In the following bout, it was Daniyal SHAHBAKHSH of Iran who moved up in the brackets, outscoring Po-Yi CHEN of Chinese Taipei by 5:0.

Men’s lightweights (57kg to 63kg)

Nepal’s Sanil SHAHI secured victory against Kyrgyzstan’s Argen KADYRBEK UULU with a sharp 5:0 decision in the first men’s lightweight competition on today’s schedule. The Nepalese athlete, coming from the nation home to the highest peak in the world, won his first bout in an Olympic qualifier here in Jordan, the country with the lowest point on Earth. “I do train in Nepal, at a high altitude, but I don’t think that gives me any physical advantage. Maybe, I just don’t feel it. But anyhow, today it worked well.” SHAHI said after the match. “It’s a wonderful start to the tournament. There’s another couple of bouts to win, and I will qualify for Tokyo 2020!”

Men’s middleweights (69kg to 75kg)

The first bout of the men’s middleweight event was stopped by the referee 1 minute and 16 seconds into the second round, and was won by Kirra RUSTON (AUS) over KAN Leong Tai of Hong Kong. The following three bouts were all decided with unanimous 5:0 decisions. Syria’s Ahmad GHOUSOON, Indonesia’s Maikhel Roberrd MUSKITA and India’s Kumar ASHISH advanced in the brackets, winning their respective bouts. 

“I have been working hard in preparation of this event, and I am peaking in the right moment. I feel strong,” ASHISH said after winning his match against Chinese Taipei’s Chia-Wei KAN. “I started boxing in 2011, but this is my first big competition, and it feels wonderful. The venue is great, and the stage is amazing, I have never been at anything like this before. Competing here is a privilege.”

In the same weight category, Jordan’s hope, Hisham Osama Majed ELSIMREEN, did not make it through his first bout, as he lost to Uzbekistan’s Fanat KAKHRAMONOV during the afternoon’s session. Fighting back right to the last second, he won the applause of the crowd at the Prince Hamza Hall. ELSIMREEN said: “I did not perform at my best. At the same time, I am happy, because I shared the ring with a very good athlete. And that’s what I want: to build experience. I want to meet the best, in order to become the best,” he continued, “I will certainly compete in the world’s qualifier in Paris, trying my best to gain a spot in the next Games”.

Men’s light-heavyweights (75kg to 81kg)

New Zealand’s Jerome PAMPELLONE beat Japan’s UMEMURA Ren in the inaugural men’s light-heavyweight bout, with a 4:1 decision. Two unanimous decisions set the afternoon sessions’ bouts, that saw CHEN Daxaing (CHN) and Paulo AOKUSO (AUS) advancing to the next phase of the competition. 

Find the results of day-1 morning session here.

Find the results of day-1 afternoon session here.

More to come

The Asian/Oceanian qualifying event on the Boxing Road t­o Tokyo in Amman will run until 11 March, and sees 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries competing for 63 Olympic quota places. The event will continue tomorrow, 4 March, with 24 more preliminary bouts.

Follow the action live

Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi, beginning on 3 March at 11 a.m. EET (local time). Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Event schedule

The session schedule for the Asian/Oceanian qualifying event can be found here.

Asian/Oceanian Olympic boxing qualifying opens in Amman

03/03/2020

The Asian/Oceanian qualifying event on the Boxing Road t­o Tokyo kicks off in Amman, Jordan, today. The competition, being held at the Prince Hamza Hall, will run until 11 March, and will see 221 athletes (151 men and 70 women) from 35 countries competing for 63 Olympic quota places. Over 200 bouts are going to be taking place during the event, where some of the best boxers in the world will try their utmost to secure a ticket to Tokyo.

The 63 Tokyo 2020 quota places to be distributed in Amman:

Men		Woman
Weight categories (kg)	Quota places	Weight categories (kg)	Quota places
Fly (48kg to 52kg)	6	Fly (48kg to 51kg)	6
Feather (52kg to 57kg)	6	Feather (54kg to 57kg)	4
Light (57kg to 63kg)	6	Light (57kg to 60kg)	4
Welter (63kg to 69kg)	5	Welter (64kg to 69kg)	4
Middle (69kg to 75kg)	5	Middle (69 kg to 75kg)	4
Light Heavy (75kg to 81kg)	5
Heavy (81kg to 91kg)	4
Super Heavy (+91kg)	4
TOTAL	41		22

Athletes to watch in Amman

Eyes will be on India’s superstar boxer Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte, a six-time world champion and five-time Asian champion, competing in the women’s flyweight category. Here in Amman she will meet the 2019 world champion Huang Hsiao Wen from Chinese Taipei, as well as the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) gold medallist and 2018 world champion Chang Yuan of China. In the women’s featherweight event, reigning world champion Nesthy Petecio (Philippines) will once again face 2018 Asian Games winner Yin Junhua of China, and three-time youth world champion Sakshi Choudhary of India.

Rio 2016 Olympic champion and reigning world champion Shakhobiddin Zoirov of Uzbekistan will be in the spotlight in the men’s flyweight category, which will also see Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibossynov (a 2019 world championship bronze medallist) competing for a Tokyo 2020 Olympic quota place. Jordan’s Obada Al-Kasbeh – a 2019 Asian silver medallist – will compete in the lightweight on home turf, where he will come up against the likes of Thailand’s 2018 YOG champion Atichai Phoemsap and Mongolia’s 2018 Asian Games silver medallist Chinzorig Baatarsukh.

New Zealand’s biggest medal hope, David Nyika – a two-time Commonwealth Games champion – will be the man to watch in the heavyweight category, where he will face three-time Asian champion Vasiliy Levit of Kazakhstan. In the lead-up to the competition, Nyika said: “I have trained extremely hard for this tournament in Amman. It is hard to say who could be my biggest opponent there, as there are likely to be many dark horses throughout the tournament. I must therefore respect each of my opponents and treat each fight like a gold-medal match.”

The Boxing Road to Tokyo

Amman is hosting the second leg of the Boxing Road to Tokyo series, and follows the African qualifier held in Dakar, Senegal, from 20 to 29 February, where 198 athletes from 38 countries competed in 192 bouts to secure the 33 Olympic quota places at stake. Three additional qualifying events will be conducted in the next few months, in London (European qualifier, 14-24 March), Buenos Aires (Americas qualifier, 26 March-3 April) and Paris (world qualifier, 13-20 May), to distribute a total of 286 Olympic quota places. The series will see 186 male boxers and 100 female boxers qualify for Tokyo.

Follow the action live

Fans can watch the action live on the Olympic Channel, with all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories available with commentary in English, Russian and Hindi, beginning on 3 March at 11 a.m. EET (local time). Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide for free at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Event schedule

The session schedule for the Asian/Oceanian qualifying event can be found here.

Asian / Oceanian Olympic Qualifying Event: Teams Arrive in Amman

24/02/2020

The second leg of the Boxing Road to Tokyo series – the Asian/Oceanian Qualifying Event – will be held in Amman, Jordan, from 3 to 11 March. The competition will be staged at the Prince Hamza Hall, where 251 boxers (174 men and 77 women) from 40 nations are expected to compete for 63 Tokyo 2020 quota places.

The 63 Tokyo 2020 quota places to be distributed in Amman:

Men		Woman
Weight categories (kg)	Quota places	Weight categories (kg)	Quota places
Fly (48kg to 52kg)	6	Fly (48kg to 51kg)	6
Feather (52kg to 57kg)	6	Feather (54kg to 57kg)	4
Light (57kg to 63kg)	6	Light (57kg to 60kg)	4
Welter (63kg to 69kg)	5	Welter (64kg to 69kg)	4
Middle (69kg to 75kg)	5	Middle (69 kg to 75kg)	4
Light Heavy (75kg to 81kg)	5
Heavy (81kg to 91kg)	4
Super Heavy (+91kg)	4
TOTAL	41		22

Teams are already arriving in Amman, to acclimatise and finalise their preparation ahead of the event. It’s not the first time that Asian and Oceanian boxers have met in an Olympic qualifier, and some of the best athletes in the world are here aiming for an Olympic spot.

Asia is indeed well known for being a boxing powerhouse, and statistics confirm it: athletes from the continent claimed 13 medals at the Olympic Games Athens 2004, and 12 in Beijing four years later. Since women’s boxing events were added to the Olympic programme, Asian boxers have earned a total of 16 medals in London, and 17 at the Olympic Games Rio 2016.

Furthermore, Asian boxers finished atop of the list at all recent world-level competitions. Last year, at the World Men’s Elite Boxing Championships held in Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation, they pocketed 15 out of the 32 medals. Asian women boxers’ results are in line with the trend too, as they obtained 3 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze medals at the 2019 Women’s World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russian Federation, and 8 out of 10 gold medals at the 2018 Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, India.

Nations to watch

Uzbekistan comes first in the list of “nations to watch” in Amman, as their team finished top of the medal standings both at the Olympic Games Rio 2016  and at the 2019 World Men’s Elite Boxing Championships. Kazakhstan is certainly their biggest challenger: the Central Asian boxing power has claimed gold medals at all Olympic Games editions since the country’s first participation in 1996, and Tokyo 2020 is in their sights. In Amman they will face strong contenders from China, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Mongolia.

India is also in the spotlight. Since the country won its first Olympic boxing medal back in 2008, the sport has been growing steadily, and their team is now considered one of the strongest in the world. IOC Boxing Taskforce Athlete Ambassador Mary Kom (51kg) will be the team’s biggest hope during this Asian/Oceanian Qualifying Event.

Oceania’s Australia and New Zealand are also among the nations to watch: 13 Australian athletes and 9 New Zealand amateur boxers have set out on their biggest assignment of their boxing careers as they chase qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games. There are great expectations for David Nyika, the New Zealand amateur boxer, who won the men’s light heavyweight division at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the men’s heavyweight division at the 2018 edition. We’re going to see him in Amman also as an Athlete Ambassador, and so he will be involved in interesting interviews and exciting activation events. We shouldn’t forget to mention Japan, the next Olympic Games host nation, which has developed a strong boxing team over the last 10 years.

Follow the action live

The event will be live on the Olympic Channel. In addition to live streaming with commentary in English and French, highlights and news, the Olympic Channel will present a live studio show prior to the quarter-final, semi-final and final matches of each event.

News, photos and results will be posted online on the dedicated Amman Qualifier page of the Athlete365 Boxing Corner platform. We encourage fans to join the conversation online using the hashtag #Boxing.

Event schedule

The session schedules for each continental qualifier can be found here.

Boxing legend Klitschko announced as “IOC Boxing Task Force Champion”

19/02/2020

Atlanta 1996 Olympic champion Wladimir Klitschko (UKR) has been announced today as the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) Champion.

The super-heavyweight legend will join the BTF along with the 10 Athlete Ambassadors, who were nominated earlier this year in an effort to promote the athletes’ voice by engaging with the athletes face-to-face at the competition venues as well as through digital channels on issues that are most prevalent within the boxing community.

Klitschko will be engaging with athletes and fans at selected Boxing Road to Tokyo qualifying events, and across digital channels, helping the BTF to spread the values of boxing and fair play.

Klitschko said: “I had the chance of taking part in the Olympic Games in 1996. That participation was the origin of my further career – and in some way made me the person I am today. Now I want to give back what I received and support the initiative for boxers to keep getting the same chances I had and be part of the next Olympic Games.”

The BTF was created by the IOC Executive Board (EB) in June 2019. This followed a decision by the IOC Session to keep boxing on the sports programme for Tokyo 2020, but to suspend IOC recognition of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) due to concerns over finance, governance, ethics and refereeing and judging.

The IOC EB gave the Boxing Task Force the mandate to organise and deliver the five qualification events for boxing and the Olympic boxing competition in Tokyo, and to develop a Tokyo 2020 qualification system for boxing. The overarching goal of the BTF is to minimise any disruption for the athletes and to create a clear, just and fair pathway for boxers to realise their dream of competing in the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The Tokyo 2020 tournament will feature 286 boxers (186 men, 100 women) competing in 13 weight classes (eight for men, five for women). Olympic Quota Places will be awarded during the Boxing Road to Tokyo, which comprises four continental qualifiers to be held in Dakar, Senegal (20-29 February), Amman, Jordan (Asian/Oceanian qualifier, 3-11 March), London, Great Britain (European qualifier, 14-24 March) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (Americas qualifier, 26 March–3 April). A fifth and last competition, the Final World Qualifying Event, will be held in Paris, France, from 13 to 20 of May.

The qualifiers will be broadcast by the Olympic Channel, through multi-platform coverage that will include live streaming of all bouts across all weight categories from the first day of competition through to the finals for each event. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide at olympicchannel.com and its apps for mobile and connected TV devices. Find additional information and updates on the events at https://boxing.athlete365.org

Follow the action at the Boxing Road to Tokyo Qualifying Events

12/02/2020

The Boxing Road to Tokyo is about to kick off in Dakar (SEN), where the first of the five Boxing Qualifying Events for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be held from 20 to 29 February. Three additional continental Qualifying Events will follow in Amman, Jordan (Asian/Oceanian qualifier, 3-11 March), London, Great Britain (European qualifier, 14-24 March) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (Americas qualifier, 26 March to 3 April). A fifth and last competition, the Final World Qualifying Event, will be held in Paris, France, from 13 to 20 May. There will be 278 Olympic quota places up for grabs at the qualifiers, and an additional 8 quota places will be assigned by the Tripartite Commission to qualify a total of 286 boxers for Tokyo 2020.

There are multiple ways to follow the action and join the conversation online:

Athlete365 / Boxing Corner

The main source of information for athletes and teams will be a dedicated page on the Athlete365 platform: Boxing Corner (boxing.athlete365.org), where stories and news, photo galleries and Olympic Channel videos will be posted, along with all relevant competition information such as the rules, schedules, draw-sheets and results.  

The page will be updated daily during the competitions, and it will provide a unique chance to follow the series of events.

Olympic Channel

The Olympic Channel, the IOC’s global media platform, has announced coverage plans for the Boxing Road to Tokyo Series, as it will be the exclusive worldwide digital rights-holder for the five Qualifying Events. The Olympic Channel’s multi-platform coverage will include live streaming of all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories from the first day of competition through to the finals for each event. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices. (No TV or cable subscription is required to watch online.)

In addition to live streaming with commentary in multiple languages, highlights and news, the Olympic Channel will present a live studio show prior to the quarter-final, semi-final and final matches of each event from its Madrid headquarters.

The Olympic Channel’s live streaming schedule is as follows:

20-29 February, Africa: Dakar (SEN). Commentary in English and French;

3-11 March, Asia/Oceania: Amman (JOR). Commentary in English, Hindi and Russian;

14-24 March, Europe: London (GBR). Commentary in English and Russian;

27 March-3 April, Americas: Buenos Aires (ARG). Commentary in English and Spanish;

13-20 May, Final World: Paris (FRA). Commentary in English and French.

Social Media

The Boxing Road to Tokyo will benefit from extensive social media coverage, through the Olympic Channel, the IOC, and the Athlete365 social media platforms. Fans will be able to be part of the action by using the hashtag #Boxing, while competing athletes and teams can join the conversation through the dedicated hashtag #InYourCorner.

Boxing Road to Tokyo: Overview

12/02/2020

The Boxing Road to Tokyo is about to debut in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, where the first of the five Boxing Qualifying Events for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – the African continental qualifier –  will be held from 20 to 29 February.

The event is being organised by the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF), in cooperation with Dakar’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Senegalese National Olympic Committee.

The IOC Boxing Task Force

The BTF was created by the IOC Executive Board (EB) in June 2019. This followed a decision by the IOC EB and Session to keep boxing on the sports programme for Tokyo 2020, but to suspend IOC recognition of the International Boxing Association (AIBA). The IOC EB gave the Boxing Task Force the mandate to organise and deliver the five qualification events for boxing and the Olympic boxing competition in Tokyo, and to develop a Tokyo 2020 qualification system for boxing.

286 boxers will qualify for Tokyo 2020

The overarching goals of the BTF are to minimise any disruption for the athletes and to create a clear, just and fair pathway for boxers to realise their dream of competing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The Tokyo 2020 tournament will feature 286 boxers (186 men, 100 women) competing in 13 weight classes (eight for men, five for women). After the African Qualifying Event about to start in Dakar, three additional continental Qualifying Events will follow in Amman, Jordan (Asian / Oceanian qualifier, 3-11 March), London, Great Britain (European qualifier, 14-24 March) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (Americas qualifier, 26 March to 3 April). A fifth and last competition, the Final World Qualifying Event, will be held in Paris, France, from 13 to 20 May. There will be 278 Olympic quota places up for grabs at the qualifiers, and an additional 8 quota places will be assigned by the Tripartite Commission to qualify a total of 286 boxers for Tokyo 2020. A summary of the Qualification System for Tokyo 2020 can be found here.

The rules

In line with the mandate of delivering the Olympic Boxing Qualifying Events and the boxing tournament at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and considering the importance of focusing on the athletes, the IOC Boxing Task Force has complemented existing AIBA regulations with specific amendments to deliver its commitment to transparency while minimising the impact on boxers. The rules that will apply to the five qualification events and the Tokyo 2020 boxing tournament are published on Athlete 365.

How to follow

The main source of information will be a dedicated page on the Athlete 365 platform: the Boxing Corner (boxing.athlete365.org), where previews, reviews, photo galleries and Olympic Channel videos will be posted along with all relevant competition information such as the rules, schedules, draw-sheets and results.

The Olympic Channel, the IOC’s global media platform, has announced coverage plans for the whole Boxing Road to Tokyo Series. The Olympic Channel’s multi-platform coverage will include live streaming of all the women’s and men’s bouts across all weight categories from the first day of competition through to the finals for each event. Coverage will be available in all territories worldwide at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices. (No TV or cable subscription is required to watch online.) In addition to live streaming with commentary in multiple languages, highlights and news, the Olympic Channel will present a live studio show prior to the quarter-final, semi-final and final matches of each event from its Madrid headquarters.

The Boxing Road to Tokyo will benefit from extensive social media coverage. Fans will be able to be part of the action by using the hashtag #Boxing, while competing athletes and teams can join the conversation through the dedicated hashtag #InYourCorner.