The stage is set for a great display of boxing excellence as the third edition of the European Games descends upon the vibrant city of Krakow, Poland. From June 23 to July 2, 2023, the Nowy Targ Arena will bear witness to the first leg of the Boxing Road to Paris 2024 qualification pathway, where boxers from across the continent will battle it out for a chance to secure their coveted spots at the upcoming Olympic Games.
This tournament marks the beginning of the qualification journey that will culminate at the grand stage of Paris 2024. Over the course of seven qualification tournaments, spread from June 2023 to May 2024, the best boxers in the world will engage in fierce competition to secure their spot. Five continental qualification tournaments in 2023 will be followed by two world qualification tournaments in the early months of 2024. In total, 248 Quota Places, equally divided between men and women, are up for grabs across 13 weight categories, providing boxers with a golden opportunity to realize their Olympic dreams.
The Nowy Targ Arena will witness some of Europe’s finest boxers vying for supremacy. With the stakes set high, a total of 44 Paris 2024 Olympic quota places (22 women, 22 men) will be up for grabs in this first qualification tournament of the series. The tournament features 13 weight categories, including seven men’s events and six women’s events.
As the boxing world turns its attention to Krakow, several standout athletes have emerged as ones to watch. Let’s take a closer look at these remarkable contenders who are poised to make a mark on the tournament:
Sofiane Oumiha (FRA) – Competing in the Men’s 63.5kg category, Sofiane Oumiha is hailed as one of France’s brightest hope for Paris. Having claimed a silver medal in Rio 2016, Oumiha’s elite boxing skills and unwavering determination make him a formidable force in the ring.
Irma Testa (ITA) – Known for her entertaining boxing style, Irma Testa of Italy has already left her mark on the sport. With a bronze medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Women’s 57kg category, Testa’s agility and flair make her a crowd favorite and a force to be reckoned with.
Kellie Harrington (IRL) – A reigning gold medalist from Tokyo 2020, Kellie Harrington represents one of Ireland’s best chances for glory. With her exceptional skills and proven track record, Harrington carries immense expectations as the biggest name in the tournament.
Enmanuel Reyes Pla (ESP) – Born in Cuba and now representing Spain, Enmanuel Reyes Pla is regarded as an excellent boxer in the Men’s 92kg category. Armed with a wealth of experience and technical prowess, Reyes Pla possesses the skills necessary to shine on the European stage and further on to on the road to the Paris 2024 ring.
Elzbieta Wojcik (POL) – Hailing from Poland, Elzbieta Wojcik brings a blend of past achievements and homegrown aspirations to the Women’s 75kg category. With a gold medal from the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and a bronze from the European Games in 2019, Wojcik aims to clinch the ultimate prize in front of her home crowd.
Loren Berto Alfonso Dominguez (AZE) – Another Cuban-born talent, Loren Berto Alfonso Dominguez represents Azerbaijan in the Men’s 92kg category. With a bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics already under his belt, Dominguez possesses the skill and determination to make his mark in Krakow.
Teresa Benedicta Makinen (FIN) – The youngest boxer in the Women’s 60kg category, Teresa Benedicta Makinen, embarked on a promising journey to the her first European Games. Picking up the torch from the retired legendary Mira Potkonen, who won her second Olympic medal in Tokyo at the age of 40, Makinen represents Finland’s future of this weight category.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 athletes, Farid Walizadeh (Men’s 57kg), originally from Afghanistan and now residing in Portugal, and Cindy Winner Djankeu Ngamba (Women’s 60kg), originally from Cameroon and now training with Team GB in England, adds an inspiring and hopeful dimension to the event.
Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage, including news, photos, and official documents, as the Road to Paris 2024 unfolds before our eyes in Krakow.
Find additional information on the event on the Boxing page of the official 2023 European Games website, and download the full schedule here.
