As the Paris 2024 Olympic Boxing Tournament enters its day 9, the competition intensifies. In the last day of bouts at the North Paris Arena before the final phases move to the iconic Stade Roland Garros, the atmosphere was electric, with French boxers delivering outstanding performances that thrilled the home crowd. The day featured quarterfinals in the Women’s 57kg and Women’s 75kg categories, as well as semifinals in the Women’s 54kg, Men’s 51kg, Men’s 63.5kg, Men’s 80kg, and Men’s 92kg divisions.
In front of a full-packed North Paris Arena, Team France secured two spots in the gold-medal finals, setting the stage for glory on home soil. In the Men’s 51kg semifinal, Billal BENNAMA claimed victory over Yunior ALCANTARA REYES (DOM). The Dominican boxer, who won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, started the bout with a strong first round, taking a 5:0 lead. However, BENNAMA, with his experience and relentless attack, turned the tide in the second and third rounds, taking all five judges’ cards in those rounds to take the unanimous decision victory. The French boxer’s impressive performance now puts him one step away from the coveted Olympic gold.
Joining him in the quest for gold is his teammate Sofiane OUMIHA (FRA), who also delivered a brilliant performance. OUMIHA defeated the top seed, Wyatt SANFORD (CAN), in their Men’s 63.5kg semifinal bout. The match was a display of skill and determination, with OUMIHA edging out SANFORD by a 4:1 decision. With this win, OUMIHA moves closer to achieving his dream of Olympic gold.
In the Women’s 57kg category, top seed Yu Ting LIN (TPE) faced Svetlana Kamenova STANEVA (BUL) in the first quarterfinal of the day. The boxer from Chinese Taipei delivered a dominant performance, securing a 5:0 victory over the 2023 European Games silver medallist from Bulgaria. Advancing in the semifinals, LIN will face Turkey’s Esra YILDIZ KAHRAMAN. The Turkish boxer earned her spot by defeating Jucielen CERQUEIRA ROMEU (BRA) in a closely contested bout, winning by a 4:1 split decision. This victory is particularly important for the Turkish athlete, as she avenged her Tokyo 2020 quarterfinal loss.
In the Women’s 75kg quarterfinals, Qian LI of the People’s Republic of China added to her illustrious Olympic career a semifinal in Paris 2024. LI, who has already won bronze in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020, continued her quest for Olympic glory by defeating India’s Lovlina BORGOHAIN with a 4:1 split decision. With this win, LI guarantees herself at least another bronze medal. In the semifinal, she will face Caitlin PARKER of Australia, the 2023 Pacific Games gold medallist, who advanced by overcoming Morocco’s experienced Khadija MARDI, also with a 4:1 split decision.
In the Women’s 54kg division, Yuan CHANG (CHN) secured her place in the gold-medal final with a hard-fought 3:2 victory over seed #4 Cholmi PANG (PRK). The intense bout saw CHANG emerge triumphant, while PANG, the 2023 Asian Games gold medallist, guaranteed her first Olympic medal—a bronze—adding to her country’s achievements.
Cristian Javier PINALES (DOM) put up a valiant effort in his Men’s 80kg semifinal but fell short against Kazakhstan’s Nurbek ORALBAY, who won by a 3:2 split decision. Despite the loss, the 23-year-old from Santo Domingo can take pride in securing a bronze medal for the Dominican Republic in his first Olympic appearance.
In a fierce ring battle in the Men’s 92kg semifinal, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Loren Berto ALFONSO DOMINGUEZ (AZE) edged out Enmanuel REYES PLA (ESP) with a close 4:1 split decision. ALFONSO DOMINGUEZ’s victory ensures him a place in the final and keeps his hopes alive for another Olympic medal.
Boxing will continue in the afternoon session, at 15:30 (CET), with nine additional bouts: quarterfinals in the Women’s 57kg and Women’s 75kg categories, as well as semifinals in the Women’s 54kg, Men’s 51kg, Men’s 63.5kg, Men’s 80kg, and Men’s 92kg divisions.
Find the event schedule and the results here.
