The E-Work Arena buzzed with excitement as the 1st World Qualification Tournament continued on March 7th with 84 bouts. Over 600 athletes from more than 100 countries are vying for the prestigious the 49 Paris 2024 Olympic Quota Places at stake across 13 weight categories.
The morning session kicked off with 8 bouts in the Women’s 54kg weight category. Sara CIRKOVIC (SRB), the 19-year-old U22 European Champion, clinched the first victory after a tight contest against the French Romane MOULAI with a 4:1 split decision. On the opposite ring, Shera Mae PATRICIO representing the USA displayed impressive skill, landing sensational combinations against Germany’s ASYA ARI, securing a 5-0 unanimous decision win.
With the overwhelming support of the home crowd, Sirine CHARAABI (ITA) faced off against Poland’s Sandra DRABIK. The Italian started strong, maintaining a high pace and landing numerous punches, earning four 10/9 scores and one 9/10 from the judges in the first two rounds. Though DRABIK rallied in the third round, CHARAABI held on for a 4:1 split decision victory.
In the Women’s 57kg event, Jutamas JITPONG of Thailand, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian and 2023 Southeast Asian gold medalist, triumphed over Johana Carolina GOMEZ LANDAETA of Venezuela. JITPONG secured a close victory with a 3-2 split decision after dominating the first two rounds. Moments later, NESTHY PETECIO (PHI), the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist, faced little challenge in her round-of-32 bout against Romania’s Maria Claudia NECHITA, securing a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision win.
Advancing in the tournament, Nancy Canan TAS of Germany swiftly dispatched her opponent from Vietnam, Huyen Tran NGUYEN, forcing the referee to stop the contest at 2:10 in the second round.
The Italian team and the home supporters had reason to celebrate as Alessia MESIANO secured another victory in the Women’s 60kg quarterfinals, defeating LOREDANA ANDREEA MARIN of Romania with a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision. MESIANO will now face Kosovo’s Donjeta SADIKU (KOS), who also claimed victory over Germany’s Felicitas Maria GANGLBAUER via a unanimous decision win.
In the Men’s 71kg event, Rami Mofid KIWAN of Bulgaria dashed the hopes of home favorite Salvatore CAVALLARO (ITA) with a near-perfect performance, securing a convincing 5-0 victory. KIWAN will face a formidable opponent on March 10, Syrgak ABDYZHAPAR UULU (KGZ), who also advanced after defeating Petar Kresimir KNEZEVIC of Croatia 4-0.
The boxing tournament in Busto Arsizio will resume at 15:30 for the afternoon session and again at 20:00 for the evening session.
