Two Bronze Medals were earned for the Dominican Republic
As French boxers amazed the home crowd with their outstanding performances. The day included semifinals in the women’s 54 kg, men’s 51 kg, men’s 63.5 kg, men’s 80 kg, and men’s 92 kg divisions, in addition to quarterfinals in the women’s 57 kg and women’s 75 kg categories.
The action heats up as the Paris 2024 Olympic Boxing Tournament moves into its ninth day. The atmosphere was electrifying on the final day of bouts at the North Paris Arena before the final stages moved to the legendary Stade Roland Garros.
French Boxers
Team France laid the stage for triumph on home soil when they secured two positions in the gold-medal finals in front of a packed North Paris Arena. In the Men’s 51kg semifinal, Yunior ALCANTARA REYES (DOM) was defeated by Billal BENNAMA. With a dominant first-round performance, the Dominican boxer—who won gold at the Pan American Games in 2023—took a 5:0 lead in the fight. But in the second and third rounds, BENNAMA turned the tide with his skill and unrelenting attack, winning by unanimous decision after winning all five judges’ cards in both rounds. Thanks to his outstanding performance, the boxer is now just one win away from the desired Olympic gold.
His teammate Sofiane OUMIHA (FRA), who also gave an outstanding effort, is going after gold with him. The top-seeded Wyatt SANFORD (CAN) was defeated by OUMIHA in the Men’s 63.5kg semifinal match. The match was a demonstration of skill and willpower, with OUMIHA defeating SANFORD 4:1. OUMIHA’s aim of winning an Olympic gold medal is getting closer thanks to this victory.
The opening quarterfinal of the day pitted top seed Yu Ting LIN (TPE) against Svetlana Kamenova STANEVA (BUL) in the women’s 57kg division. With a dominant performance, the Chinese Taipei boxer defeated the Bulgarian silver medallist for the 2023 European Games 5 to 0. In the semifinals, LIN will go up against Esra YILDIZ KAHRAMAN of Turkey. The Turkish boxer qualified after winning a highly contested battle by a 4:1 split decision over Jucielen CERQUEIRA ROMEU (BRA). The Turkish athlete’s success holds special significance as it is her revenge for losing in the Tokyo 2020 quarterfinals.
Qian LI, representing the People’s Republic of China, enhanced her remarkable Olympic journey by reaching the semifinals in the Women’s 75kg competition in Paris 2024. LI, who has previously taken home bronze in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020, defeated Lovlina BORGOHAIN of India via a 4:1 split decision as she pursued further Olympic success. LI assures herself of at least another bronze medal with this victory. She will play Australia’s gold medallist at the 2023 Pacific Games, Caitlin PARKER, in the semifinal. PARKER defeated Morocco’s skilled Khadija MARDI, likewise in a 4:1 split decision.
Yuan CHANG (CHN) defeated seed #4 Cholmi PANG (PRK) 3:2 in the women’s 54kg category to guarantee her spot in the gold medal match. CHANG prevailed in the tough fight, while PANG, the gold medallist from the 2023 Asian Games, added to her nation’s accomplishments by winning her first Olympic medal—a bronze.
Despite a heroic effort, Cristian Javier PINALES (DOM) lost the Men’s 80kg semifinal to Nurbek ORALBAY of Kazakhstan, who prevailed via a 3:2 split decision. In spite of the defeat, the 23-year-old Santo Domingo native may be proud of himself for winning a bronze medal in his debut Olympics.
Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Loren Berto ALFONSO DOMINGUEZ (AZE) defeated Enmanuel REYES PLA (ESP) in a narrow 4:1 split decision after a tough ring struggle in the Men’s 92kg semifinal. With this win, ALFONSO DOMINGUEZ guarantees his spot in the final and maintains his prospects of winning another Olympic medal.
Nine more boxing matches are scheduled for the afternoon session, which starts at 15:30 (CET). These include semifinals for the women’s 54 kg, men’s 51 kg, women’s 63.5 kg, men’s 80 kg, and men’s 92 kg divisions, as well as quarterfinals for the women’s 57 kg and women’s 75 kg categories.
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