The second session of Day 1 at the Boxing Tournament of the Olympic Games in Paris, held at the North Paris Arena, delivered another thrilling round of bouts. Competitors in the Women’s 54kg and 60kg, and Men’s 63.5kg and 80kg categories entered the ring, all determined to advance in the tournament.
Charley DAVISON, the first British boxer to clinch a quota slot for Paris 2024, was also the first from Team GB to be eliminated. She faced the Turkish boxer Hatice AKBAS in the Women’s 54kg event and was narrowly defeated via a 3:2 split decision after a close match. In the same weight category, Sirine CHARAABI (ITA) and Enkhjargal MUNGUNTSETSEG (MGL) battled fiercely. CHARAABI started strong, securing a full scorecard in the first round, but the 25-year-old from Ulaanbaatar turned the tide in the second round with an aggressive strategy. CHARAABI suffered two point deductions, further unsettling her performance. MUNGUNTSETSEG dominated the third round, securing a unanimous 5:0 decision from the judges.
In another Women’s 54kg bout, the 2023 Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti from India claimed a 5:0 victory over Vietnam’s Thi Kim Anh VO.
In the Women’s 60kg class, the 2023 European Games bronze medallist Gizem OZER faced Italy’s Alessia MESIANO. The experienced Italian edged the first round 3:2 and maintained her lead, winning the second and third rounds to seal a 4:1 victory.
Tokyo 2020 Olympian Donjeta SADIKU (KOS) won by 3:2 split decision after a hard-fought battle against 23-year-old Thananya SOMNUEK from Thailand in the same weight class.
The North Paris Arena erupted in joy when local hero Estelle MOSSELY (FRA) entered the ring against the Pan American Games bronze medallist Jajaira GONZALEZ (USA). The American clinched the first round 3:2, but MOSSELY, supported by the home crowd, counterattacked effectively in the second round, earning three 10/9 scores in her favor. Despite both athletes giving their all in the third round, GONZALEZ secured a 4:0 win.
In the Men’s 63.5kg event, the Cuban Erislandy ALVAREZ BORGES cleared his first match of the tournament in less than two rounds. After sending his opponent John UME (PNG) to the canvas and causing two standing counts, the referee stopped the contest at 1:46 of the second round.
A thrilling match between two 21-year-old talents, Bazarbay Uulu MUKHAMMEDSABYR (KAZ) and Oier IBARRECHE CONDE (ESP), saw the Kazakh boxer showcase sensational combinations, securing all three rounds for a 5:0 unanimous decision victory.
In the final contest of the day, the Turkish Kaan AYKUTSUN impressed with his tactics and punching skills, outclassing the Italian Tommaso CAVALLARO with a 4:1 win.
The boxing tournament continues tomorrow with three exciting sessions featuring 25 bouts. Boxers in the Men’s 51kg, 71kg, 92kg, and Women’s 50kg and 66kg categories will compete in the morning session starting at 11:00 (CET), in the afternoon session at 15:30 (CET), and in the evening session at 20:00 (CET).
Schedules and Results:
Find the event schedule and the results here.
