The afternoon session of Day 6 at the Paris 2024 Olympic Boxing Tournament saw the emergence of semifinalists in the Women’s 54kg, Men’s 63.5kg, and 92kg weight classes, as the competition intensified at the North Paris Arena.
The session began with the Women’s 50kg round-of-16, where 2023 Pan American Games gold medallist Caroline BARBOSA DE ALMEIDA (BRA) faced a surprising upset. Kazakhstan’s Nazym KYZAIBAY delivered an outstanding performance, outclassing the Brazilian with a commanding 5:0 unanimous decision win.
Team Turkey had reason to celebrate as Buse Naz CAKIROGLU (TUR) showcased her dominance in the Women’s 50kg division. CAKIROGLU, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, controlled all three rounds against Fatima HERRERA, relentlessly attacking her opponent’s face to secure a decisive 5:0 victory. In the quarterfinals, she will face Finland’s Pihla KAIVO-OJA, who impressed with her relentless punching and secured a sharp 5:0 win over 2023 Pan American Games silver medallist Jennifer LOZANO (USA).
In the Women’s 66kg class, Australia’s Marissa WILLIAMSON, the first Aboriginal woman to qualify for the Olympic Games, was defeated by Hungary’s Anna Luca HAMORI, the 2023 European Games bronze medallist, who left the audience in awe with an exceptional performance, sealing a 5:0 unanimous decision victory.
In another Women’s 66kg bout, two-time Olympian Nien Chin CHEN (TPE) delivered a masterclass performance, outclassing third seed and 2023 Pan American Games gold medallist Barbara Maria DOS SANTOS (BRA). CHEN seized the opportunity to advance by striking decisively in each of the three rounds, earning maximum points to win via a unanimous 5:0 decision. She will next face Navbakhor KHAMIDOVA (UZB) in the quarterfinals. KHAMIDOVA emerged victorious after a tense and tightly contested match against Morelle MCCANE (USA). The Uzbek started strong, taking the lead in the first round, but the 29-year-old from Cleveland fought back in the second, using movement and heavy punches to shift the momentum. However, KHAMIDOVA managed to edge out a 3:2 split decision in the final round, advancing to the next stage.
Later in the session, the first Women’s 54kg quarterfinal saw Cholmi PANG (PRK) secure a 4:0 victory over Morocco’s Widad BERTAL, thanks to some powerful and well-timed blows. In the semifinals, the 2023 Asian Games champion PANG will face Turkey’s Hatice AKBAS, who advanced with a dominant 5:0 victory over Enkhjargal MUNGUNTSETSEG (MGL). AKBAS, the 2023 European Games bronze medallist, demonstrated her power and precision to secure her spot in the final four.
French fans at the North Paris Arena had reason to cheer as Sofiane OUMIHA (FRA) delivered a strong performance in his Men’s 63.5kg quarterfinal match, defeating Richard KOVACS (HUN). Competing in his third Olympic Games, OUMIHA, who won silver in Rio 2016 and placed ninth in Tokyo 2020, is now on a mission to claim the gold medal on home soil.
The afternoon session also revealed another semifinalist in the Men’s 92kg category, as Loren Berto ALFONSO DOMINGUEZ (AZE) edged out a 3:2 split decision win against Aibek ORALBAY (KAZ). It was a closely contested bout, but the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist from Azerbaijan showcased excellent boxing skills and determination to secure his advancement in the tournament.
The action at North Paris Arena is set to resume this evening, August 1, at 20:00 (CET), with more thrilling bouts on the schedule.
Find the event schedule and the results here.
