Day-2’s evening session transformed into a stage for top-class sports action at the Boxing Road to Paris Africa Qualification Tournament in Dakar, Senegal.
Men’s 71kg Weight Class
In the Men’s 71kg weight class, one of the most anticipated boxers, Mozambique’s Tiago Osorio Muxanga, once again took the spotlight. He dominated his round of 16 bout, leaving no chances for Boniface Shain Barnsley from Seychelles. Muxanga carefully studied his opponent in the first round, maintaining his distance. As the second round began, he launched a relentless assault on his opponent with an unstoppable pace and intensity. The referee had to stop the bout soon, awarding the victory to Muxanga, who has yet to be seen competing in a third round here in Dakar.
Everyone now wonder if his next opponent, Steve Kulenguluka Mbiya (COD), will be able to shad light on what Muxanga looks like in a Round 3, as he walks into the stellar quarterfinal match after securing a convincing 5-0 victory against Nigeria’s Fatai Moshood Abiola.
Michael Arena Pakela of Lesotho claimed a 4-1 split decision win over Kenya’s Maina Boniface Mogunde, earning a spot in the quarterfinals against Uganda’s Isaac Zebra Ssenyange. Ssenyange collected a split-decision victory against Simnikiwe Bongco from the Republic of South Africa.
In the same category, Fernandes De Barros Bruno Miguel (CPV) defeated Thomas Christian Alimamy (SLE) by a score of 3-1. He is set to face Tunisia’s Ghazouani Hamza, who secured a 4-1 win against Cameron’s Mengue Ayissi Albert.
Senegal’s Mendy Alphonse Junior Antoine advanced in the tournament, beating Armando Bighafa Bigate Naaé (GBS) through a split decision, keeping the host country’s Olympic hopes alive. Chasing his dreat to secure place in the Paris 2024 Olympics, he will have to face Egypt’s Elawady Omar Elsayed Ragab Elawad. Elawad impressively defeated Saed Mohammed Fathi Saad (LBA) in less than three minutes, prompting the referee to stop the contest in the first round.
Men’s 80kg Weight Class
Today’s men’s 80kg bouts determined the brackets for the quarterfinals, scheduled for the evening session on September 13th.
Local hero Konate Seydina Mouhamed, representing Senegal in the men’s 80kg weight class on his home turf, advanced in the tournament with a commanding 5-0 win over Laweri Okumu Jalaba Charles (SSD). He will next face Lucas Yusuf Changalawe (TAN), who secured victory with a close 3-2 decision against Ngamissengue Mpi Anauël (CGO).
In the same weight class, Egypt’s Abdelgawwad Abdelrahman Salah Orabi dominated his match against Ndaye Ghislain from the Central African Republic. Abdelgawwad started by controlling the center of the ring, then relentlessly pursued his opponent, resulting in an unbearable situation for his opponent. With only 16 seconds left in the first round and after two standing counts, the referee had to stop the match, advancing Abdelgawwad to the quarterfinals. There, he will face Morocco’s Mohamed Assaghir, who secured an unanimous decision victory against Maximiliano “Max” Bibang Manana from Equatorial Guinea.
Gabon’s Tessa Kombila Roger Yaya defeated Zoungrana Eben Ezer Tene Gueswende (BUR) with a convincing 5-0 score, earning a spot in the quarterfinals against Algeria’s Younes Nemouchi.
Togo’s Padabadi Prewa achieved a hard-fought 4-1 victory against Libya’s Saad Saad Fathi. The first round ended in a tie, with Saad Saad Fathi leading in round 2. However, Padabadi’s stamina carried him through round 3, forcing his opponent into a standing count. The judges awarded him the victory. In the next phase, he will meet Namibia’s Ipinge Gebhard Tonateni, who advanced to the quarterfinals with an unanimous decision victory over Nzewi Israel Emanuel (CPV), securing a full scorecard (each of the five judges awarded him all three rounds).
In the Women’s 54kg category, Egypt’s Ayyad Yomna Ahmed Rezk Abdalla secured a unanimous decision from the judges, defeating Yetongnon Coletivi Dechey (TOG) on points. Jlassi Chadha (TUN) advanced in the tournament as her opponent Ndong Maïmouna (SEN) withdrew. The category’s quarterfinals are now set and will take place in the afternoon session on September 13th.
The Boxing Road to Paris Africa Qualification Tournament features 235 athletes from 42 nations competing in 13 weight categories (7 men’s, 6 women’s). It is held at the Dakar Arena in the Senegalese capital from September 9th to September 15th.
The tournament continues on September 11th with 43 more preliminary bouts in two sessions at 12:00 and 17:00 (Dakar time).
Follow the event on boxing.athlete365.org!
