In the last session of Day 5 at the Paris 2024 Olympic Boxing Tournament, Munarbek SEIITBEK UULU (KGZ) secured a hard-fought 3:2 split decision win in the Men’s 57kg round-of-16 after a pulsating battle against Cuba’s Saidel Ivan HORTA RODRIGUEZ del REY. The Cuban started strong, showcasing determination and sharp blows that allowed him to take the first round with a unanimous 5:0 score. However, SEIITBEK UULU mounted a successful counterattack in the following two rounds, gradually turning the tide in his favor. His resilience and tactical adjustments impressed the judges, who ultimately awarded him the victory by a narrow 3:2 margin.
In the same weight category, 2023 Asian Games silver medalist Shudai HARADA (JPN) delivered a commanding performance, outclassing Yilmar Leandro GONZALEZ LANDAZURY (COL) with a unanimous 5:0 decision. HARADA’s dominance was evident throughout the bout, as he showcased superior technique and control. His next challenge will be against 2023 European Games gold medalist Javier IBANEZ DIAZ (BUL), who demonstrated his own prowess by earning a maximum points win over Aider ABDURAIMOV (UKR), leaving no chance for his Ukrainian opponent.
In the Men’s 71kg event, Lewis RICHARDSON (GBR) from Great Britain registered a split decision win over the sixth-seeded Vakhid ABBASOV of Serbia after a close contest. ABBASOV edged the first round 3:2, but RICHARDSON quickly responded by targeting his rival’s face with precise punches. Despite the pressure, the 27-year-old from Colchester refused to back down, ultimately securing a 3:2 split decision win.
Another standout performance came from the young Indian talent NISHANT DEV, who left his mark by overcoming 2023 Pan American Games silver medalist Jose Gabriel RODRIGUEZ TENORIO (ECU) after a tense ring clash. NISHANT DEV started strong, dominating the first two rounds with powerful punches and taking both rounds 4:0. Although RODRIGUEZ TENORIO fought back in the third round, it wasn’t enough to overturn the match, as the judges awarded the Indian a 3:2 split decision victory. In the quarterfinals, he faces a formidable opponent in Marco Alonso VERDE ALVAREZ (MEX), the 2023 Pan American Games gold medalist, who advanced by narrowly defeating Tiago MUXANGA (MOZ) with a 3:2 win.
In the Women’s 75kg division, Atheyna Bibeichi BYLON (PAN) celebrated a 4:1 victory over Valentina KHALZOVA (KAZ) in their round-of-16 bout. BYLON’s win sets up a quarterfinal showdown with Tokyo 2020 Olympian Elzbieta WOJCIK (POL), who pulled off an upset by defeating the second-seeded 2023 European Games gold medalist Aoife O’ROURKE (IRL) with a 3:2 split decision.
In the Women’s 60kg weight division, the quarterfinal match between Beatriz Iasmin SOARES FERREIRA (BRA) and Chelsey HEIJNEN (NED) saw the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist from Brazil deliver a decisive 5:0 victory. FERREIRA’s experience and skill proved too much for the 25-year-old Dutch boxer, as she secured her spot in the semifinals and guaranteed another Olympic medal for Brazil.
Boxing action continues tomorrow with the quarterfinals in the Women’s 54kg, Men’s 63.5kg, and 92kg categories, as well as preliminary round-of-16 bouts in the Women’s 50kg and 66kg divisions. The first session starts at 11:00, the second at 15:30, and the third at 20:00 (CET).
Find the event schedule and the results here.
