The Olympic Games Paris 2024 Boxing Tournament continues today with three sessions taking place at the North Paris Arena. Thirty bouts are scheduled in three weight classes: Women’s 54kg and 57kg, and Men’s 51kg and 80kg.
The first to jump into the ring on Day 4 were local idol Billal BENNAMA (FRA) and Roscoe HILL (USA) in the Men’s 51kg division. The French athlete, cheered on by the home crowd, dominated the first round, claiming five 10/9 scores from the judges. In the following round, the American countered brilliantly, earning four 10/9 scores. With both boxers giving their all in the decisive round, the French seed #1 from Toulouse clinched a 3:2 split decision victory, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. There, he will meet Cuban Alejandro CLARO FIZ, who threw plenty of punches to get maximum points, winning his bout against Michael Douglas DA SILVA TRINDADE (BRA) 5:0.
The 2023 Pacific Games gold medallist Yusuf CHOTHIA (AUS) didn’t make it through his match against Rafael LOZANO SERRANO (ESP). The Spanish produced a good tactical display from the beginning, taking the first and second rounds 4/1. The 23-year-old from Perth countered in the third round, but it was insufficient to secure victory, as the LOZANO was declared the winner by 4:1.
Later in the session, Cristian Javier PINALES (DOM) was a convincing winner in the round-of-16 phase of the Men’s 80kg event, overcoming 2023 Asian Games gold medallist Tanglatihan TUOHETAERBIEKE of the People’s Republic of China with a unanimous 5:0 decision victory. Advancing to the quarterfinals, he will face 2023 European Games silver medallist Gabrijel VEOCIC (CRO), who showcased explosive power and excellent boxing skills to secure a 5-0 victory over two-time Olympian Hussein IASHAISH from Jordan.
In the Women’s 54kg weight category, 2023 European Games gold medallist and flagbearer for Bulgaria, Stanimira PETROVA, made her team proud by defeating Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Hsiao Wen HUANG of Chinese Taipei 4:1. Moving forward in the tournament, she will meet Tokyo 2020 Olympian Yuan CHANG (CHN), who secured a commanding 5:0 victory against Jennifer LEHANE (IRL), earning a full scorecard (all judges awarded her all rounds).
Widad BERTAL (MAR) sealed her first victory in the Olympic tournament at the end of a fierce duel against Thai Jutamas JITPONG. The Moroccan athlete came out on top with a close-call 3:2 split decision in the third round.
In the Women’s 57kg division, Marcelat SAKOBI (COD) had a day to forget as her Olympic dream was shattered after losing to Sitora TURDIBEKOVA (UZB). The bout was tight, with exceptional combinations executed by both, but the Uzbek clinched a 3-2 split decision victory in the third and decisive round.
In the last bout of the morning session, Esra YILDIZ KAHRAMAN (TUR) employed an attacking strategy, troubling Marine Fatoumatta Colette CAMARA (MLI) and earning a 5:0 unanimous decision victory. She secured a spot in the quarterfinals scheduled for 2 August, where seed #5 Khouloud KHLIMI (TUN) is waiting for her.
The action will resume this afternoon at 15:30 (CET) and continue this evening at 20:00 (CET) with two more sessions of exciting boxing.
Find the event schedule and the results here.
