Day 9 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Boxing Tournament continues this afternoon with session #23 at the North Paris Arena, featuring nine bouts across various weight categories. This session included quarterfinals in the Women’s 57kg and Women’s 75kg, as well as semifinals in the Women’s 54kg, Men’s 51kg, Men’s 63.5kg, Men’s 80kg, and Men’s 92kg divisions.
Cindy Winner DJANKEU NGAMBA of the Refugee Olympic Team delivered an historic performance by outclassing France’s Davina MICHEL in the Women’s 75kg quarterfinal, securing a decisive 5:0 victory. NGAMBA, who had already made history by qualifying for Paris 2024 via the World Qualification Tournament in Italy in March, has now reached an even greater milestone by guaranteeing herself at least an Olympic bronze medal.
In the mixed zone after the match, Cindy commented on her achievement: “It means the world to me to be the first Refugee Olympic Team member to win a medal. I’m just human, like any other refugee. There are refugees all around the world.”
Acknowledging the challenge she faced, NGAMBA added: “I was up against a very tough opponent today. My friends supported me. I hope I can change the color of the medal in the next fight. A lot of people were not cheering for me, but I listened to my team, my coaches, and myself. I stayed calm and composed, and I’m happy that I got the job done. In the next one, I will get it done.”
NGAMBA also shared an inspiring message for refugees worldwide: “I want to say to all the refugees, and all humans, that you have to keep on working hard, keep on believing in yourself. You can achieve whatever you put your mind to. People may not believe in you, but you have to believe in yourself. At the end of the day, it’s only me in the ring.”
In her semifinal match scheduled for August 8, Cindy NGAMBA will face two-time Olympian Atheyna BIBEOCHI BYLON of Panama, who secured a hard-fought 3:2 split decision win over Elzbieta WOJCIK (POL).
Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Nesthy PETECIO pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Zichun XU (CHN) with a commanding 5:0 victory. The Filipino boxer’s unanimous decision win propels her into the semifinals. Joining her is the 20-year-old Polish sensation Julia SZEREMETA, who outclassed 2023 Pan American Games bronze medallist Ashleyann LOZADA MOTTA of Puerto Rico, also sealing a unanimous decision victory. SZEREMETA’s win makes her the first female boxer from Poland to secure an Olympic medal.
“I feel great,” SZEREMETA commented after the match. “I said before coming to Paris that I would win a medal, and now I have. Now I’m going for the gold. The ropes are my life.”
Hatice AKBAS (TUR) is one step away from the gold medal as she advanced to the Women’s 54kg final with a 3:2 victory over Aeji IM (KOR). The 2023 European Games bronze medallist, competing in her first Olympic Games, has already secured at least a bronze and is now aiming for the tournament’s top prize.
In the Men’s 51kg semifinal, Rio 2016 champion Hasanboy DUSMATOV of Uzbekistan moved closer to his second Olympic gold by defeating David DE PINA (CPV) with a 5:0 maximum points victory. The boxer from Cabo Verde, despite his loss, has made history by securing his country’s first Olympic medal.
Erislandy ALVAREZ BORGES (CUB) is now within reach of the brightest medal after claiming his third consecutive 5:0 unanimous decision victory, this time over seed #7 Lasha GURULI (GEO) in their Men’s 63.5kg semifinal. GURULI, though defeated, can return to Georgia with a proud bronze medal.
Oleksandr KHYZHNIAK (UKR) continued his impressive run in the Olympic tournament with a remarkable victory over two-time Olympic champion Arlen LOPEZ CARDONA of Cuba. The Cuban initially landed sharp blows, but KHYZHNIAK responded in the second and third rounds with relentless offense, seizing control of the bout with excellent combinations and clinching a 3:2 split decision win. After earning silver in Tokyo, KHYZHNIAK is now focused on capturing his first Olympic gold in the Men’s 80kg division.
In the Men’s 92kg semifinal, Lazizbek MULLOJONOV (UZB) dashed the hopes of seed #2 Davlat BOLTAEV (TJK) by securing a spot in the gold medal match with a close 4:1 split decision win.
Boxing takes a rest day tomorrow, August 5, but the tournament will resume on Tuesday, August 6, at the iconic Stade Roland Garros. The evening session starting at 21:30 (CET) will feature semifinals in the Women’s 50kg, Women’s 66kg, and Men’s 71kg categories, as well as the Women’s 60kg final.
Find the event schedule and the results here.
