The journey towards the highly awaited Olympic Games Paris 2024 continues with the African Olympic qualifier taking place in Dakar, Senegal.
From the 8th to the 15th of September, boxers from across Africa will converge in the Senegalese capital to compete for the coveted 18 quota places up for grabs (11 for women and 7 for men).
This event marks the second venture of the Boxing Road to Paris qualification series, consisting of five continental tournaments and two world qualifiers. Along this journey, a total of 248 Olympic quota places will be allocated, equally distributed between male and female athletes.
Following the success of the 2020 edition of the tournament, the Dakar Arena once again takes center stage to host thrilling boxing matches. A remarkable roster of 265 athletes (175 men and 90 women) from 43 countries, competing across 13 weight categories, showcasing their exceptional boxing skills.
Here’s a quick overview of some athletes to watch during the event:
Khadija El Mardi (MOR) – A Rio 2016 Olympian who qualified for Tokyo 2020 but could not compete due to giving birth to her child. She arrives in Dakar with her sights set on gold in the women’s middleweight category.
Roumaysa Boualam (ALG) – She secured a spot for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo through her outstanding performance at the 2020 African Olympic Qualification Tournament in Dakar, Senegal. With a gold medal at the 2022 Mediterranean Games and victory at the African Boxing Championship, she’s now aiming to qualify for her second Olympic Games in the Women’s 50 kg event.
Sadia Sanogo (CIV) – She grew up in Dakar, close to the venue hosting the boxing tournament. The Welterweight boxer has made the decision to pursue her Olympic dream while representing Ivory Coast, her parents’ homeland.
Tiago Osorio MUXANGA (MOZ) – Competing in the men’s 71 kg category, Tiago is set to celebrate his birthday during the tournament in Dakar on September 12th, adding an extra layer of significance to his journey. Known for his robust physique, Tiago’s physical skills are hard to ignore.
Pape Mamadou Sow (SEN) – Representing the host country in Men’s 51 kg, he is the son of an African boxing champion. He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps to carry on the family legacy and he is determined to achieve the Olympic title his father missed out on.
Adam Olaore (NIG) – Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to Peckham in southeast London at the age of six. He currently holds the title of African Champion. In Dakar, he competes for his homeland in the Heavyweight category, promising an exciting display of skills.
Stay connected for the latest updates, photos, and results, all of which will be available on the Athlete 365 Boxing Corner website, accessible at boxing.athlete365.org.
Also, mark your calendars as the event will be live-streamed from September 13th to the 15th, with exclusive broadcasts on the Olympic Channel.
Stay tuned!
